Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:46 pm on 13 July 2021.
Thank you, Deputy Llywydd, and thank you, Minister, for the statement. I welcome the Government’s ambition in this area and I agree that trees are incredible. It's so important that Wales has a wood economy that safeguards trees, expands the numbers of forests in the country and creates jobs and building material that will be part of our economic recovery. It's clear that we will need significant investment in workforce skills and also in tree-planting technology. Thousands of jobs could be created and there would be great benefits to our communities as a result of that. Can I ask, therefore, for more detail on how the Welsh Government will invest in the skills that will be needed to reach these targets, and will the Welsh Government encourage new entrants into this industry through apprenticeships? It would be good to have some detail on that and a rough timetable if at all possible. And could you give us some detail on how you would invest in the necessary technology for these ambitious schemes?
In turning now to farmland, an issue that's already been raised this afternoon, we know how important it is to plant trees in a way that is effectively targeted—that we need the right trees in the right places for the right reasons. And these plans need to include people who understand the land, including farmers. You've already referred, Minister, to evidence that does cause concern about whole farms being bought up by large multinationals in order to plant trees, and it's come to our attention that Glastir funding could be used to aid such schemes. I know that this has already been raised in Janet Finch-Saunders's contribution, but I'd also like to put on record how important it will be to support rural communities to do what is necessary, so that they can help to reach these targets. So, what will you do to work with our communities and with our farmers on that?
And in turning, finally, to urban tree planting, there are clear benefits from planting trees in urban areas and villages, including improvements in air quality, noise reduction and temperature control, and many of these factors have positive impacts on the mental health, psychology and well-being of residents too.
Now, can you—? And this is my final question: will the Welsh Government provide some more detail on how you will take advantage, as much as possible, of urban tree planting, including the necessary diversity in terms of the types of trees that you plant? And what will you do to address the threats to urban trees? Thank you.