Thank you for your statement, Minister. The RSPB's state of nature report highlighted the fact that erosion results in the loss of 2 million tonnes of topsoil each year in the UK. The loss of topsoil goes beyond the impact this has on the availability of fertile land for agriculture. The degraded land impacts the soil's ability to hold onto water, which can lead to increased flood risk. So, Minister what action is your Government taking to tackle soil erosion in Wales?

Farmland has an important role to play in mitigating flood risk. Post Brexit, we will have an opportunity to reformulate our financial support for agriculture. Minister, what consideration have you given to introducing a payment scheme for farmers to maintain natural flood management schemes, such as planting new flood plains, or creating new ponds, ditches and embanked reservoirs?

We are facing increased flood risks in the coming decades as a result of our climate changing. Minister, how does the Government intend to change planning policies to ensure that all new developments and any new infrastructure projects make sufficient provision for water capture and reduce the amount of run-off? I have attended several meetings within my region where flooding has left constituents devastated. 

Finally, Minister, with regard to coastal erosion, my region has suffered huge erosion as a result of Welsh Government policies to allow the removal of millions of tonnes of sand from the Bristol channel, which resulted in the loss of sand from our beaches. Minister, will you rule out any future licensing for sand dredging in the Bristol channel in order to protect the beaches of South Wales West from coastal erosion? Thank you.