6. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:26 pm on 13 May 2020.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 5:26, 13 May 2020

Thank you. In relation to your first question around goat and sheep within the dairy sector, that was raised with me on Monday at the EU transition Brexit round-table, so I know officials are working through that. I think the initial response was that they probably wouldn't fulfil the criteria, but I know that is an ongoing piece of work.

In relation to Lucy's law, I will be able to update Members obviously when I've had those discussions, and then look at how that fits into the rest of the legislative programme. The First Minister is leading on a piece of work to look at legislation at the moment.

In relation to the 15 per cent, my answer is that we have had notice from the UK Government we should be getting it, we will be getting it. My understanding now is that we should receive more information when the comprehensive spending review is held. Certainly, when that money arrives, I will look to make a case for that but, clearly, until we have that money, I'm not able to say anymore.

I think you raise a really important point around access, and I know that Hannah Blythyn, who leads on access in the countryside, has done some work around promoting that message. I met with a group of environmental NGOs under the Wales Environment Link umbrella, where we talked about health and safety and how we can make sure the public get that message, particularly now when we know more people are accessing the countryside and their local areas in a way that perhaps they haven't done before. So, we're certainly doing all we can. I know there's a great deal of activity on social media, and I think it's really important that we all look to promoting that message as more people embrace nature.