Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:30 pm on 9 October 2019.
I'm glad to hear that, Minister, as I had heard there were concerns amongst some environmentalist groups that the Welsh Government may have been decreasing its opposition due to the announcement that Ineos will open a factory in Wales. Of course, Ineos's main interest in mainland Britain is shale extraction. The investment by Ineos in Bridgend for building its new 4x4 is, of course, very welcome, and I hope people will now feel reassured by your answer that it will not affect the Welsh Government's fracking policy. Now, fracking isn't the only mode of petroleum extraction that's causing concern, however. Recently, an application was made to pursue seismic testing in Cardigan bay, to find locations for potential drilling. That licence was suspended, but that does not prevent similar applications being made in the future. So, could the Minister please give us an update on measures being undertaken by your Government to impose an effective ban on seismic testing, just as you've done with fracking?