6. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of leaving the EU on the Welsh seafood sector? OQ56223

Thank you. The seafood sector is experiencing an immediate and detrimental impact since leaving the European Union, with export issues affecting the whole supply chain. I continue to press the UK Government to resolve these issues and appropriately compensate the whole industry. In addition, it is essential that Welsh fishers receive their fair share of the modest additional quota delivered by the trade and co-operation agreement.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. The seafood sector is an important part of the Welsh economy, employing many people and contributing significantly to our exports. The industry made very clear, prior to the end of the transition period, that there was a lack of preparation and that the industry would suffer if those preparations were not put in hand, and also called, I think, and supported the extension of the transition period to ensure that that sector was not impacted in that way. There's really been gross negligence from the UK Government in this, which is now hitting our sector greatly in two areas, it seems, Minister: (1) is exporting generally, but secondly is the export in respect of produce that is available for consumption, and that issue around that. Can I ask specifically what contacts you have with the Welsh seafood industry? What efforts are being made jointly to try and get the UK Government not only to resolve this particular problem, but also, as you say, to ensure the Welsh seafood industry is properly compensated for the UK Government's failure?

Thank you, and I think it's fair to say that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs have definitely dropped a ball in relation to the live bivalve molluscs sector. I've been pressing George Eustice, the Secretary of State for DEFRA, to come forward with compensation for the whole of the sector. I regularly meet with the fishers and the seafood sector. I last met—. I think I've met with them three times this year; I last met with them on Monday as part of the round-table, and they've been very helpful also in pressurising the Government, the UK Government, and I have to say we were working very well with the UK Government and with my Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts as part of the DEFRA inter-ministerial group to bring forward a support scheme.

You'll be aware that, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had a specific scheme to support the fishers, and what we wanted—well, what we all wanted—to do was to come forward with a UK-wide scheme, a sort of winter support scheme, in relation to both COVID and the EU transition period, and officials had been working very closely on that just before Christmas. We were preparing a business case to go to Treasury and then, all of a sudden, DEFRA announced a £23 million scheme, which basically compensates the exporters. Well, I think the fishers, the aquaculture sector and the processors need compensation as well, but, unfortunately, that seems to have been pushed to one side. I've written again this morning, actually, to the Secretary of State around the live bivalve molluscs, because, as I say, I think they really have dropped a ball here.

I've not really seen any detail of the scheme that has been brought forward. As I said, this has been done unilaterally. So, I and, I think, my Scottish and Northern Ireland counterparts are still pushing to see if we can come forward with that UK sector support scheme, rather than just this one that will compensate the exporters. As you say, it's a very important sector for Wales and you will be aware that our seafood is very much wanted, particularly in Europe, in Spanish restaurants et cetera, and it needs to arrive fresh. Again, we've had—I'm sure you will have picked up—stories about it sitting on port sides and being delayed in being received in Spain, for instance. So, it is a matter of great concern.

In the waters around Anglesey and the Menai straits, we produce mussels and oysters of the very, very highest quality. Almost all our mussels—the vast majority—are exported to the European Union. I was speaking to a representative of the mussel industry today. There is desperate concern about the impact that we are now seeing of the failure to prepare properly for EU exit, and everything possible needs to be done to ensure that conditions are made as advantageous as possible for our fishermen to be able to see a brighter way forward. So, could the Minister, as one response, confirm if she will ask the Food Standards Agency in Wales to commit to review the approach it takes towards the classification of shellfish waters, to bring this more in line with that taken by Food Standards Scotland, which would at least be a start?

Well, you heard me outline in my answer to Mick Antoniw the steps that I have taken. I certainly will look at anything I can do to help. I met with the seafood sector, as I said, on Monday this week, and, clearly, there are serious implications for the mussel industry and the cockles industry. I do want to work towards a resolution as quickly as possible, so I will continue to do all I can. I'm very happy to look at what can be done with the Food Standards Agency and if the measures he outlines would indeed help.

I think a lot of these problems—. We've been warning the UK Government for four years—five years, nearly—that this lack of preparation would have this significant impact, and it's no pleasure to say, 'We told you so'. We knew it would be the seafood sector that would be impacted the quickest, if you like, because of the disruption that we've seen. Also, whilst we had a thin deal, which I think we all welcomed on Christmas Eve, rather than no deal, I did think it would be something to build upon, but that doesn't seem to be happening in relation to the seafood sector. So, as I say, I have written to the Secretary of State again this morning. I met with him twice, I think, last week around this issue. I've asked for a further meeting, because, clearly, the live bivalve molluscs issue is very serious, and becoming more serious by the day.