3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure the conservation of farming land in Wales? OAQ54489

Diolch. 'Sustainable Farming and our Land' sets out my proposals for the future of farming in Wales. My ambition is to keep farmers on the land in sustainable farms, producing both food and environmental benefits in a system that enhances the well-being of farmers, communities and the people of Wales.

Denbighshire County Council's scrutiny committee's report into the Llantysilio mountain fire raises a number of questions directed to a number of different agencies. I'm wondering if you could tell me what lessons the Welsh Government has taken from this whole episode and, particularly given that a number of the recommendations in their report refer to Natural Resources Wales, what advice you've given to NRW on their role in working with landowners and other agencies to avoid similar situations in the future.

So, at present I have not had the advice that I've asked for following that report, but, once I do, I will write to the Member or I will share the advice that I give to NRW, whichever is more appropriate.FootnoteLink

Information further to Plenary

The Summit to Sea project in mid Wales has been accused of reflecting the partners' focus on the environment and paying much less attention to the cultural, linguistic, social and economic aspects of sustainable development, which, of course, is fundamental to the development of the whole community. Minister, what can you do to ensure that, when projects like this are set up in the future, better community consultation is entered into before any project is allowed off the ground?

I absolutely agree that there are some projects that would, on refection, be better for having that community focus. I'm not aware specifically of the one that you raised with me. I think all those things that you say fall into what I look for when I'm going out to consultation—. So, I've made it very clear that, in Wales, we do have linguistic differences to other countries, so it's very important—. So, 'Sustainable Farming and our Land', for instance, which I just mentioned in my original answer to Llyr Huws Gruffydd—I made that very clear, that all those aspects of sustainable development need to come together. So, I think most things that we do in the community are always more collaborative if you have that initial contact with the community that, sadly, isn't always there.

Question 4, Nick Ramsay.

Diolch, Llywydd. Will the First—? Will the Minister make a statement—? I was promoting you there.