4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the role that farmers can play in tackling climate change? OQ57206

I regularly meet with colleagues to discuss cross-cutting issues, including this one. And COP26, I think, really showed how farmers have a vital role in tackling climate change, by reducing on-farm emissions through a range of approaches, including improved efficiency in livestock and crop production, nutrient management, and increasing sustainability of farm technology and infrastructure.

Thank you very much, Minister, for your initial response there. In recent months, I've had the pleasure, alongside the National Farmers Union, of visiting two very different farms in my region, North Wales—Llyr Jones's farm, Derwydd, on the Conwy-Denbighshire border, and the Rhug estate near Corwen, which I'm sure you'll be familiar with as well. Both, whilst continuing to ensure we have food on our tables to eat, have also diversified into green energy production, which helps to run their farms. These of course, as I'm sure you'd agree, are fantastic examples of farmers here in Wales leading the fight against the current climate emergency, as well as providing renewable energy for their businesses, as well as on to the grid for everybody else to benefit from as well. So, Minister, what further support and incentives can you provide through the Welsh Government to farms, like Derwydd and Rhug, to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies? 

Thank you very much. I'm very well aware of both the farms you referred to, and I think we have seen the diversification of our farms, particularly in relation to green energy production. I often visit farms that have one—I've forgotten the word; 'windmill', I want to say, but that's not the word—turbine, and certainly they're not just providing green energy for themselves; as you say, they are connected to the grid. And we are able to not always perhaps financially support, but we're very happy to support with officials' help and guidance in relation to doing that. But, as I said in my earlier answer to Cefin Campbell, I passionately believe, and I know the Deputy Minister, who's just come into the Chamber, met with NFU Cymru at COP26, they absolutely see themselves as part of the solution. And the NFU net-zero pledge by 2040, and the work that they're doing to lead agriculture to a decarbonised future, while supporting others in that food supply chain that you referred to as being obviously so important, is really excellent. 

Good afternoon, Minister. May I thank Sam Rowlands for bringing this question forward. Farmers, as we know, have a significant contribution to make to Wales's efforts to tackle the climate and nature crisis, and many have already, in this Siambr, indicated the solutions farmers can bring in achieving net zero. I know as well that the sector is keen to work with Government to shape future agricultural policy to ensure that we can meet our need for food security, a thriving planet, resilient communities, and a successful agriculture and food sector. As we've already heard today, we were all concerned to read last week of a farmer in Powys, in the region I represent, reportedly being fined £15,000 for variation on the plans agreed under the Glastir woodland creation scheme. And I know you've already responded to Sam Kurtz, and I recognise that you are not able to comment on ongoing appeals, but I was hoping that you could shine a light on what the Government has learnt from Glastir and how that learning will be used to inform the Government's future agricultural policy and funding arrangements in the year ahead. 

Thank you. Welsh Government must administer all Glastir schemes in accordance with regulations and scheme rules. Rural Payments Wales must undertake at least one in situ visit to check all capital work items are completed, and, then, if claimed works are found to be incomplete or not to be to the required specification, payment may be recovered and an over-declared penalty may also be applied. But, as you said, I've already said I can't comment on specific cases. But it is important that we do learn lessons, and, whilst it's not possible to make changes to the current schemes that we have, my objective is to simplify our future farm support. Obviously, as we bring a sustainable farming scheme and a replacement for the rural development programme forward, it is really important that we work with stakeholders, I think, in co-designing them, so that they are less bureaucratic and simplified. So, my officials do work very closely with farmers and stakeholders to understand what issues they have, and ensure that what's being proposed is practical and workable, and I think we're going to look at how self-monitoring can be used. I think that's another aspect that we could look to improve and to see if that can be used as an effective way of gaining compliance information, and the role of earned recognition for compliance is also being explored.