Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:30 pm on 4 March 2020.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. As chair of the cross-party group on beer and pubs in Wales, I have recently undertaken a number of visits to independent breweries with Members from across the Chamber, and I look forward to working with many more Assembly Members to promote Welsh beer and cider within their constituencies. Minister, issues that have been raised with me include assistance in taking full advantage of unique opportunities to promote Welsh beers across the world—opportunities like the Rugby World Cup and the six nations, which coincides with Welsh beer week. And I have also had a number of breweries and brewers raise the issue of the future deposit-return scheme, which I know falls under the responsibility of the Deputy Minister. However, your department works directly with producers through the Welsh food and drinks cluster. So, Minister, can you assure me that your department is working closely with that of the Deputy Minister's, and the Minister for international relations, both to support and promote the Welsh brewing industry in the future?