2. How is the Welsh Government supporting the farming community in mid Wales? OAQ54260

The Welsh Government is supporting the farming community in mid Wales, as in all parts of Wales, to become more profitable, sustainable, resilient and professionally managed. Over 5,000 individuals in the region have signed up to Farming Connect, a vital element of our support to farming, food and forestry businesses.

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I recently met with the executive officer of the Farmers Union of Wales Montgomeryshire branch, and, on behalf of members in Montgomeryshire, a number of issues were raised, which included an increasing spate of theft of farm tools and farm equipment, also the introduction of nitrate vulnerable zones, and also their campaign to minimise dog attacks on livestock. In regard to NVZs, their concern is, of course, the amount of red tape that will come along with that, and I'd be grateful if you could outline your comments around that concern. I'd also be grateful if I could also learn how the Welsh Government is working alongside the police and crime commissioner for mid and west Wales to tackle the issue of theft of farm equipment, machinery and tools, which, sadly, in recent months, has been an increasing factor.

Thank you. You raise three points, so let's start with agricultural pollution. I've announced that it is my intention to introduce regulations. I didn't really want to do that, but I don't think the voluntary initiatives have worked in the way that we would want, and we've seen far too many agricultural pollutants—we had another one just at the end of last week. So, I will be introducing the regulations to address agricultural pollution in January of next year. I will be working with stakeholders, to develop the regulations, so I'm sure we will cut out as much bureaucracy as we possibly can, and red tape, and I will certainly listen to concerns as to how we can simplify the regulations.

In relation to rural crime, I'm committed to tackling wildlife and rural crime in Wales. You'll be aware there's been a very long-standing rural crime team in north Wales; I'm now very pleased there's one in Dyfed-Powys too. I think also the Wales wildlife crime and rural affairs group, which has been set up, do some valuable work, which I really appreciate, and they are very committed to working with Welsh Government and police forces. Again, I would just urge farmers and other rural businesses to ensure their equipment is locked up. I've been on many farms myself where the farmers have embarrassingly pointed out to me that the keys shouldn't be in the quad bike, for instance. And I think, again, they—[Interruption.] Well, I don't think they do it now; I think they've realised that that was something that they need to do to, just as we all do, in relation to our own property.

Minister, I've been contacted by the Powys agricultural well-being network, and I believe they've written to all the Members here who represent Powys. They're very concerned about the emotional and mental well-being of people working in the agricultural sector, at a time of great uncertainty, with real concerns about future markets. Can I ask you today to discuss with the Minister for Health and Social Services what more your Government might be able to do to support farmers and farming families through this very difficult time? It's not a section of the community that often finds it very easy to ask for help or to admit to strain, but there are, of course, some very good voluntary organisations working in the sector. So, can I ask you to speak to your colleague, and to make sure that some of those very effective local organisations continue to get access to funding to provide the sort of support that farming families may need through this very difficult time?

You raise a very important point and something that has been of great concern to me, probably since I came into portfolio, and, as we've seen the Brexit fiasco played out, it's something that I've become even more concerned about. I've already had those discussions with not just the Minister for Health and Social Services, but other colleagues in Government. 

Last year, I gave £500,000 to three rural charities following the drought. There were lots of concerns in relation to the mental health of farmers following the drought. I've also given some additional funding to the DPJ Foundation, which you may be aware of. The DPJ Foundation have, I believe, an amazing counselling scheme, where they go into the homes of farmers, because farmers are very often isolated, and they work on a one-to-one basis in the farmer's own home. We're rolling that out. The funding that we've given as a Government to the DPJ Foundation means that they're now rolling out that scheme in north Wales.

I've also put a bid in for some funding in relation to mental health counselling and provision in the latest European Union transition bid. So, I'm waiting to hear if that's been successful.