Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:54 pm on 9 October 2019.
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.