Granted, my Bill does not provide the silver bullet for solving all issues facing Welsh society. Instead, it provides a firm framework that will finally solve many of the issues that have been outstanding for too long. Ultimately, at the very heart of the Bill is to ensure the use of local food, creating local jobs, stimulating local economies, together with addressing major well-being and health issues across the length and breadth of Wales. These are points that, again, I believe every politician in this Chamber, here or virtual, would support.

So, to explain a little bit more about my proposed Bill, and how I developed these proposals. Issues relating to food touch upon many aspects of the workings of Government, from public health to communities, the environment and agriculture, as well as, obviously, the economy. It engages with different departments across the Welsh Government, and we have seen numerous plans and strategies from Ministers here in Wales, such as the food and drink action plan, and the food and drink Wales COVID-19 action plan.

But, as I have found out when discussing these proposals with stakeholders from across different sectors, these plans often do not speak to each other. They are often too focused on particular areas, and at times, even conflict with each other in what they are trying to achieve. Whilst I think that there is a lot to welcome, it has been clear from conversations that far more needs to be done if we are to realise the full potential of the food sector in Wales in helping to tackle some of the issues facing our communities.

And, it is important to note that the progress that has been made on some of these issues elsewhere in the UK risks leaving Wales even further behind. The Scottish Government has recently published its Good Food Nation Bill, which requires Scottish Ministers and relevant public authorities to create good food nation plans, as well as considering the need for a statutory body. The UK Government is expected to produce a White Paper to respond to the recommendations of the recent national food strategy report.

My proposals, therefore, have been shaped through many conversations with stakeholders and experts, as well as Members of the Senedd from across all parties. I would very much like to thank everyone for their time and assistance to date. I am also very pleased to have received the general backing from both the Farmers Union of Wales and the National Farmers Union in the broader principles of the Bill. The Landworkers Alliance also believe that an overarching vision for a healthy, resilient and sustainable food system in Wales is needed.

So, in summary, my Bill would do a number of things. Establishing a Wales food commission is a key part of the proposed legislation. The commission would reset the governance of the food system in Wales, and would co-create and oversee the delivery of a Welsh food strategy, alongside Welsh Ministers and other stakeholders. It is not designed to undermine the Minister or the Government, but to support them to achieve their aims.

The make-up of the commission will be further developed in collaboration with stakeholders, including the Welsh Government, as the Bill progresses. I welcome input from Members about how that may look. The Bill will place a duty on Welsh Ministers to co-produce an overarching Welsh food strategy in conjunction with other stakeholders. This will act as the strategic overarching framework that integrates policies relating to the food system across multiple Welsh Government departments.

Whilst the Welsh Government is in the process of updating its food action plan, the Government's consultation document states that it is not a proposal for a holistic food system change. Yet, that is exactly what we need in Wales, and it is what the proposed food strategy will aim to do. The Bill will require local authorities and other public services, such as local health boards, to develop community food plans. This will strengthen public procurement and create better infrastructure to link food producers and consumers.

These would build on the good practice that is already taking place across Wales, such as  Monmouthshire County Council's food development action plan, and would encourage other local communities to explore how they can strengthen the link between producers and consumers within their area.

There are also some additional policies, such as requiring Welsh Ministers to report annually on food production in Wales, so we are able to clearly analyse the outcome of the Welsh food strategy, as well as local food plans. It would allow policy makers and other interested stakeholders to make an assessment about how sustainable and robust food production is in Wales.

The Bill could require all supermarkets and other retailers to donate unwanted and unsold food that is fit for human consumption to charities and food banks to help the most vulnerable in society. This is similar to a measure that was introduced in France in 2016. The policy would help Wales's Government to meet its current obligations, such as the target to halve avoidable food waste by 2025 and reduce it by 60 per cent by 2030. I know there is already some good work going on by some supermarkets in this direction, but it’s just not enough.

Finally, the Bill would explore ways to strengthen food labelling requirements. This would be focused on ensuring that Welsh producers, manufacturers and, importantly, the additional side of the hospitality sector would strengthen—their food labelling rules would be strengthened to ensure that food produced in Wales is clearly marked as such.

However, Deputy Llywydd, I would like to stress that these are just proposals. If given leave to formally introduce a Bill, I intend on working closely with a wide range of stakeholders, as well as Members and Ministers from across this Chamber, to ensure that their views and aims are included within the legislation, because it's by working together as one Senedd that we can achieve a more prosperous, a fairer and a more equal Wales.

To close, Deputy Llywydd, I would like to take this opportunity to make an appeal to each Member of the Senedd as individuals, not political parties, not the party whips: we have a moral responsibility to act today. It is easy to overstate the impact of legislation. As I acknowledged earlier, my proposals would be one cog of a much wider machine. There are other aspects of the food system that are outside of our powers, and I do think we need to see more from other Governments to tackle some of those issues, but this Bill would give us the platform we need here in Wales to start implementing the changes we need to see.

We often hear the word ‘progressive’ thrown around in this Chamber. Well, let’s deliver on progressiveness. A Welsh solution for Welsh issues, made for the people of Wales. To quote Professor Kevin Morgan and Simon Wright in their recent op-ed about my Bill, and I quote:

'Common sense, as well as reams of research evidence, tells us we must deliver. Future generations will find it hard to comprehend our failure to do so.'

Deputy Llywydd, I look forward to hearing the views of Members from across the Chamber. Diolch.