Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? I appreciate that the decision to introduce import control checks has been scrapped quickly and without meaningful dialogue with Governments across the UK, and so, as a result, the Welsh Government has not had a huge amount of time to really consider the implications for Wales. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to the Minister for bringing this statement forward so that Members can attempt to better understand the situation and what it means, going forward. And for the record, Dirprwy Lywydd, I believe that there should be appropriate checks at our borders, and I hope that this matter can be progressed as soon as possible by the UK Government. But as I understand it, the UK Government has decided that now is not the right time to make further changes to import control checks at the border, following a consultation with industry, in order to alleviate the increased pressure on already hard-pressed businesses and consumers. I'd be very interested to know what representations, though, were made by the Welsh Government over the last few months regarding this matter. Today's statement, of course, refers to the rising cost of living and increased energy prices, so perhaps the Minister could tell us what specific representations he has made to the UK Government ahead of its decision to scrap import control checks.

Now, as today's statement notes, the UK Government is intending to publish a target operating model in the autumn, and that model will be subject to consultation with industry and devolved administrations. This means that there is time to make representations to the UK Government about what the future system should look like and how it should operate. Therefore, perhaps the Minister could tell us what the Welsh Government believes the model should look like, and could he confirm what discussions he is holding with stakeholders in Wales about what they want to see from the new model?

The Minister will be aware that the UK Government's decision has been welcomed by some. For example, SEF Langdon's has said that the change in policy towards a smarter digital border by the UK Government will allow the free flow of safe food products into Great Britain and that the decision may lead to a return of more EU companies exporting to the GB market, increasing competition and ultimately lowering prices for the consumer. And so, I suppose that there is an opportunity right now to shape longer term policy and get this model right in a way that works with businesses and ensures a good deal for consumers too. Naturally, there have been costs incurred as a result of the work done to date to establish border control posts in Wales, most notably in Holyhead, and today's statement estimates that, to date, £6 million has already been spent. However, if import control checks are introduced at a later date and prices have increased, it may be that more costs could be incurred in the future. Therefore, can the Minister tell us the Welsh Government's approach to budgeting for this in the future, given that a decision to reintroduce them later down the line could be made just as quickly as the decision was made to scrap them?

Now, it's clear that the UK Government is looking to digitise British borders, and today's statement refers to those new technologies to streamline processes and reduce frictions. The UK Government has referred to the single trade window that will come into play next year, which centralises data entry to one point and would allow for better data sharing amongst Government agencies and lead to reduced costs of importing and exporting goods for businesses, and I'd be very interested to learn a bit more about the new technologies that are being used to ease the flow of trade. So, perhaps the Minister can share with us any additional information that he has received regarding the use of any new technologies and data, and the role that this new technology will play in the future.

The Minister has touched upon animal diseases in his statement and he will also be aware of the threat of African swine fever brought into the UK via infected stocks sourced from Europe, or travellers bringing contaminated pork products into the country. It's an issue that has been raised by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, who believe that the UK may be exposing our domestic industry, and I know that the British Veterinary Association has raised similar concerns as well. Therefore, can he tell us what discussions he's had with the Minister for rural affairs, as well as the chief veterinary officer and farming unions, about the impact of unchecked imports and how it could affect Welsh farming, as well as what their views are on any new models in the future?

And finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, it would be remiss of me not to ask about the future of sites that were being considered by the Welsh Government, given that Johnston is in my constituency. I appreciate that it's early days, but perhaps the Minister could tell us what impact the changes could have on potential sites and whether the Welsh Government will now consider alternative sites, going forward, now that it has decided to scrap the Johnston location in my constituency. Therefore, in closing, can I thank the Minister for his statement today? I do hope that a much more open and meaningful dialogue can take place between both Governments, going forward, in this area, and I look forward to hearing more about the new plans as and when they are developed. Diolch.