1. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for managing the natural environment in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ54666

Thank you. Our natural resources policy and nature recovery action plan set out our priorities at a national level. The South Wales Central area statement currently being produced by Natural Resources Wales will help to focus action at a local level, building on initiatives already under way in Merthyr and the surrounding area.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. The natural environment of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, like other communities in the south Wales Valleys, needs that continuing investment from the Welsh Government in order to build on the growing recognition of the importance of projects like the Valleys regional park. The natural environment of our valleys is also a backdrop for important tourist attractions in my constituency, like BikePark Wales, Rock UK, the Garwnant forest park, and areas like the Merthyr and Gelligaer common. So, what more can Welsh Government do to develop these sustainable types of tourism attractions for the overall benefit of the local economy?

Our aim is to unlock and maximise the potential of the natural environment and the associated cultural heritage of the Valleys to generate social, economic and environmental benefits. I'm sure you'll be aware, just last month, my colleague Dafydd Elis-Thomas the Deputy Minister—sorry, Lee Waters, the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport—announced £2.4 million for foundational economy projects in the Valleys taskforce budget, and that, obviously, includes the tourism sector. You mentioned BikePark Wales, and I just wanted to say that I know they are becoming a premier destination for mountain biking, and I very much welcome the investment in its facilities, and that did include £400,000 from Visit Wales. Also, organisations such as Ramblers Cymru and Green Valleys received funding.

Minister, you will be aware of the importance of pollinators to the natural environment and of the need to reverse the decline in their numbers. Could you provide an update on the work being undertaken by your department to improve land management in the countryside, including farmlands, to ensure the importance of pollinators is given the recognition it deserves in Wales?

Thank you. I quite agree with you that pollinators do need to be an area where we continue to have a focus—that is, within the nature recovery action plan. And you may be aware that I recently announced funding through the enabling natural resources and well-being in Wales grant. And, if I am right in remembering, I think there are some specific funding in relation to pollinators there.

Bethan Sayed is not present to ask the second question.

Question 2 [OAQ54646] not asked.