Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. In the year to March 2020, whilst 200 hectares of new woodland was planted in Northern Ireland, 2,330 in England, and 10,860 in Scotland, Wales only managed to plant 80 hectares. So bad is this failure that the Welsh Government have done what they've done in other areas—they've actually reduced the planting target from 5,000 to 2,000 hectares per year. Such a chopped target could see the Welsh Government's approach to tree plantation easily compared to the deforestation we read about in the literary classic The Lord of the Rings—The Two Towers. In fact, Welsh Labour could be compared to Ents, discussing problems for a long time before taking action. To be truly ambitious, Deputy Minister, you would be looking to restore the 5,000 hectares per year goal.

Forestry is classified in our own CCRA3 report as 'more action needed'. So, will you act on the recommendation for an assessment of management options for pests and diseases that have become resistant to current pesticides and further explore management initiatives that can enhance resilience, such as diversification? The report also identifies opportunities for the expansion of existing established species, such as the Douglas fir and sycamore, and for fast-growing species that are selected for bioenergy sources. So, will you identify where those opportunities are via the mapping exercise that our public bodies will now be undertaking? 

One third of the around 309,000 hectares of woodland in Wales are found on agricultural land, yet yesterday you stated that the vast majority of new woodland will not be planted by the Welsh Government but by the communities—the farmers and other landowners across Wales. It's a bit rich for you to be claiming credit when you're actually reducing the targets. I'm also perplexed as to why your taskforce excluded NFU Cymru, FUW and the Countryside Alliance. Can you clarify whether you are going to work with them and include them in the new working group considering models to attract investment in woodland creation? 

Deputy Llywydd, the Glastir woodland creation scheme has been overly complex and difficult for farmers to engage with. So, how confident are you, Deputy Minister, that the changes you are introducing will simplify the scheme, and will you ensure that farmers are properly rewarded for the establishment and management of trees and their farms? There are numerous reports of private investors buying vast areas of farmland to plant with trees, usually from out of the area, and that's where we do agree with your statement. We've got to actually take this in mind. So, will you clarify what steps will be incorporated in the new fast-tracked NRW approval process to safeguard these valuable open habitats from inappropriate plantation and ensure that support is only given to our real active farmers here in Wales?

Forecasts project softwood availability in Wales will decline from a standing volume of 2 million cu m in 2016 to just 1.5 million by 2041. So, can you give the Chamber greater clarity as to how you will address the significant concerns raised by the commercial forestry sector that the low planting and restocking rates will reduce the future supply of commercial timber? NRW, we all know, is seriously understaffed and underresourced, so have you assessed the impact of selling up to 30 per cent of their timber through alternatives to the current model focused on sale for the highest financial value? Dependent on the number being recruited, the woodland officers could actually be made lengthsmen, as they could have a key role in keeping drainage infrastructure clear, too. 

Finally, I am deeply concerned that high-density housing areas contain only 1 per cent of Wales's urban tree cover. According to 'Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales', you have an ambition to increase tree canopy cover and create woodlands near towns and cities—not much mention of that here today. So, what progress has there been since the publication of that report in March 2019? 

Deputy Minister, we all want more trees, but we want more action and fewer words. Thank you. Diolch.