2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:52 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 2:52, 17 November 2020

In addition, can I ask for a statement from the environment and rural affairs Minister on the UK Government's intention to reform small breweries relief. Now, currently small breweries, of which we have very many here in Wales—those that produce less than 5,000 hectolitres per year—get a 50 per cent reduction in the duty that they pay, but the UK Government intends to reform that, reducing the threshold significantly, seriously impacting the majority of breweries here in Wales. I've raised this previously both in committee and here in the Chamber. The Minister said she wasn't aware of the issue but that she'd check whether the Government have made any representations. She subsequently wrote to me saying that the Government haven't, it's not devolved and, therefore, the Welsh Government wouldn't be pursuing this. Now, that stands in marked contrast to the approach of the Scottish Government, who have mounted a concerted effort in making representations on behalf of the small breweries there. So, the Scottish Government have been proactive; the Welsh Government is just sitting back and saying, 'It's not our problem.' Now, small breweries are one of the success stories we have in terms of the growth of the sector, and much of that will be undone if this duty threshold is reduced. I implore the Government to do something about it and I want to hear exactly from the Minister what your plans are.