The Seafood Sector

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 2:11 pm on 3 February 2021.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:11, 3 February 2021

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.