5. How is the climate emergency, declared in April 2019, reshaping Welsh Government plans for the Welsh food industry? OAQ54492

Thank you. Sustainability is an important consideration in our proposals for a new strategic plan for the food and drink industry, which is under consultation at the current time, closing on 15 October. We will publish a summary of responses, and sustainability will feature in the finalised plan.

Well, it will be interesting to see the responses. I think last week we learnt that the state of nature report that was published last week is highlighting a terrifying loss of insects, including 60 per cent of Welsh butterflies and seven species of Welsh bees. Now, the overuse of pesticides, rather than allowing nature to thrive alongside man's and woman's use of the land, is clearly a cause for concern. So, two questions: what plans does the Welsh Government have to reduce the use of pesticides that put at risk the pollination of fruit, vegetables and flowers? And, in the context of the threat of a 'no deal' Brexit, which really raises serious issues about our food security, how does the Government plan to use public procurement to buy more Welsh produce, which would, as a by-product, obviously reduce food miles?

Thank you. Well, in relation to reducing pesticides, that is something that we've been encouraging for some significant time, and working with farmers and other land managers in relation to that. I think the state of nature report, which we're currently considering, was quite stark in parts. Obviously, we have our own report, our own state of natural resources report, so I think we're ahead of the game, but I think it did make very stark reading in parts.

In relation to a 'no deal' Brexit, obviously we continue to say there has to be a deal, and those discussions are ongoing. In relation to public procurement, I have actually said that I do think that is an opportunity, post Brexit, if we are looking for opportunities. Obviously, public sector organisations are responsible for making decisions in relation to the food and drink that is available in their establishments. We've got the National Procurement Service, where we have food and drink framework agreements, but I think there will be more opportunities post Brexit, if we do indeed leave the European Union, for more public procurement. I mentioned that we were out to consultation on the food and drink action plan at the moment. We have the current action plan and that absolutely recognises, and that's now into its sixth year of being—it absolutely recognises the importance of the local food supply chain to the food industry in Wales, encompassing local retail, hospitality, food service, direct retail and, of course, our public services too.

Minister, obviously people are conscious that the way they eat could have an effect on climate change and the climate change emergency that the Government here and in other parts of the UK have declared. What we do know is that the red meat sector here in Wales is predominantly a grass-based production cycle, which is actually positive for the environment. Have you had any requests from Hybu Cig Cymru about securing funding so that the positivity around what Welsh beef and lamb are to the environment, in the way that they're grass based in the diet they use, can be promoted to the consumer, rather than maybe some of the more intensive systems coming from other parts of the globe that do have a detrimental impact on our carbon footprint?

I haven't had a specific request for funding from HCC just in relation to that, but you'll be aware we gave HCC—I think it was over £2 million to help in promoting our red meat sector, and, in fact, HCC have been out in Japan as part of the trade mission doing just that. But I think you make a very important point, and I'm questioned a lot about red meat and people's eating habits, and I think it's about a balance. But what I would say to people is, if they want to eat sustainably, the best thing to do is to support our local farmers and food producers.