5. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: Preparing the rural economy and fisheries sector for a 'no deal' Brexit

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:34 pm on 1 October 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 4:34, 1 October 2019

Thank you, Jenny. In relation to the question around energy security, the responsibility, obviously, for energy security and energy markets lies firmly with the UK Government. So, we've engaged extensively—well, officials have—with BEIS policy officials, to make sure that their analysis and the preparations that they're bringing forward take into account the needs of our communities and our industries. And at the moment, we are happy with the assurances that we've been given. However, this is something that I really want to take to a ministerial level and it's just been very, very difficult to engage with BEIS Ministers. I mentioned in an earlier answer that my colleague Ken Skates and I were due to meet with Andrea Leadsom on Monday. It's this morning been pulled, so work is going on to try and bring that meeting back, because I think it's really important that we do have that assurance that you are seeking.

I've also been pushing for improved governance arrangements around energy in relation to our climate emergency and our decarbonisation targets, because, clearly, there's a synergy between them. So, I think it's really important—obviously, there are lots of interdependencies between devolved and reserved policies, and it's really important we get that assurance, and that we look for any future policies to take that into consideration.

In relation to food supply, I think it was really important that we asked the question of our supermarkets around that fair distribution to not just urban supermarkets, but also our rural shops and supermarkets too.

In relation to the planting of winter vegetables, I don't think farmers would need advice from me; I think this is something they've been looking at. This has been coming for quite a while, so we've been working with those agricultural businesses and other food and drink businesses to make sure they look at their business plans to see what more they can do.

I think you're quite right—I hear this all the time: 'We just need to get Brexit over—we just need to get Brexit over.' Well, this is going to last not just for months, but for years and years, and it's really important that we do all we can to mitigate the impacts. But I think people have to be realistic about what is going to come down the line.