Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:40 pm on 15 September 2021.

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Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru 2:40, 15 September 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much. I look forward to some sort of internal review on that and a strategy to develop the sector for the future.

Another issue I raised with the Minister prior to recess was the issue of purchasing farmland by major corporations for tree planting, and most of these companies are from outwith Wales, and that land is then used for tree planting rather than food production. Rather than following the principle of the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason, Welsh communities are losing out as any environmental and economic benefits from these steps go to companies from outwith Wales, and they don't remain within local communities. And this is, unfortunately, another example of Welsh resources being exploited by external forces, as has happened over the years with our coal, our water, and our electricity.

Over the summer, unfortunately, it appears that the situation has hastened and accelerated and got worse. And as I've said in the past, if Welsh farmers can't buy land in their own communities when it is available, because they are undermined by multinationals from London, then this will damage the language, culture and heritage of those localities. We know that you've established a national forestry plan, but what steps will you as a Government take to resolve these problems, and to safeguard land and communities in Wales?