5. Statement by the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:16 pm on 10 June 2020.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 3:16, 10 June 2020

Can I just ask you about the Welsh Mountain Zoo? We heard earlier on in an exchange with your ministerial colleague Ken Skates that zoos have never been required to close here in Wales and that they are allowed to open, but, obviously, with a 5-mile travel restriction, that's not going to be viable any time soon, until that restriction is lifted. I heard what you said in response to Joyce Watson, about the reopening of the tourism industry, and I would urge you to consider, even as a halfway step, allowing people to travel within neighbouring counties, even, as a means to opening some of these open-air attractions, which could be opened in a safe way whilst maintaining social distancing for even local visitors.

Can I also ask about the funding and resources made available to that zoo? It is the national zoo of Wales. We have a national library, we have a national theatre, we have national museums, all of which receive significant annual support from the Welsh Government, but our national zoo doesn't. Is that something that you can consider, providing some support on a more frequent and annual basis in the future, particularly given the fact that this is a very cherished national asset that is very important to the tourism economy in north Wales?