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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:45 pm on 13 May 2020.

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Photo of Angela Burns Angela Burns Conservative 5:45, 13 May 2020

Good afternoon, Minister. I have to say that I do agree with an awful lot of the commentary made by Mandy Jones. In my own constituency I've had farmers who've had to go out and bring their cows in, milk their cows and then pour that milk away, and the feeling is entirely different to having a shop, where you might have to just close the doors, but the baked beans and so on still stay on the shelf. This is a very up-and-personal business and they have struggled for a long time, and I think it has taken the Welsh Government an awful long time to come up with a solution.

In your response on your statement you talked about the food and drink cluster. I have one specific area I want to bring to your attention and that's to do with the vineyards in Wales. We have over 57 hectares of vineyards growing throughout Wales, over 30 vineyards, and they produce high-quality, award-winning vines. Wine tourism is estimated to contribute over £10 million a year to GDP, but they are not able to access business rate relief, grants based on rateable values, the economic resilience fund, the employee furlough scheme or self-employment income support. I'm just asking as I have so many vineyards in my own constituency and, from my own perspective, I think it's a really vital food and drink to preserve: would you consider having a look at this particular sector and what you can do to support this industry? Because it brings so much kudos to Wales to have this wonderful product grown in our fields and valleys.