Questions now from the party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Darren Millar.

Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, in your capacity as Minister for north Wales, what discussions have you held with the tourism industry in the region regarding your Government's proposals for a tourism levy?

I haven't held any specific discussions with any areas of the tourism industry in north Wales. I have to say, over the summer, a few of the organisations and businesses that I did meet—I spent time in each local authority area, and they chose who I met with—some people did raise the visitor levy with me. I haven't had any specific discussions, but, obviously, I passed on concerns, and also, I have to say, I did meet with businesses who did approve of what we are proposing to do.

Minister, many people will find it absolutely astonishing, given the importance of the tourism and hospitality industry in north Wales, that you haven't met specifically with businesses in order to discuss this important potential tax on them. Go North Wales represents 15,000 businesses across north Wales, and you'll know that they have expressed a lot of concern. Will you agree to join me at a meeting with Go North Wales, and other representatives of the tourism industry, in order that you can hear from them first-hand about the potential adverse impact of this punitive and unnecessary tax on tourists who stay overnight in Wales, and the impact that it could have on jobs and livelihoods in the region?

They haven't approached me for a meeting. Obviously, businesses perhaps have discussed it with the relevant Minister rather than with me, who's got the overall responsibility for north Wales. As I say, some businesses did raise it with me—both for and against it—and I said I will take their comments back to the Minister for Finance and Local Government. I'd be very happy if Go North Wales want to meet with me, if they approach me; I'd be very happy to do that. I have north Wales days if you like, where I do visits—they tend to be on a Thursday—when I concentrate on specific areas. I'm up in north Wales doing just that tomorrow, so if they do want to approach me to discuss it, I'd be very happy to do so. 

You keep saying that you're not the relevant Minister. You are their relevant Minister; you're the Minister for north Wales, and people expect you to be standing up for north Wales around the Cabinet table and engaging with businesses in north Wales when such an important issue arises in their inbox. There are thousands, many thousands, tens of thousands of jobs reliant on the tourism industry and the tourism trade in the region. And let me be clear to you and the Cabinet colleagues who sit around the table: you cannot support a tourism tax and be for the economy in north Wales; you cannot support a tourism tax and support businesses in north Wales; you cannot be for a tourism tax and support jobs in north Wales. I'm afraid that it's the same old story from this Labour Party: pro-tax, anti-growth; pro-tax, anti-business; and pro-tax—and I'm afraid to say so—anti-north Wales. That's what we get from this Government, and it's about time that that story changed. I'm grateful for the opportunity that you have said that you will take to meet with representatives of the tourism industry in north Wales to listen to their views. 

One final question, if I may. One of the things that the tourism industry says is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for them in the coming years is the potential of the Clwydian range and Dee valley area of outstanding natural beauty being designated as a national park—something, of course, that I've been raising for more than a decade as something that the Government could do to boost the tourism industry in the region. You're the Minister directly responsible for moving that particular issue forward, yet we've heard very little about the progress that is being made. What assurances can you give us that that is going to be delivered within this Government's term, and can you tell us where you're up to with it?

Thank you. I'll pick up on that point first. As you say, it's just come back into my portfolio last week. I have asked for a meeting with Natural Resources Wales. On the work that the Minister for Climate Change had undertaken with NRW, I know that significant resources have been given in relation to ensuring that we do have that national park. Obviously, it was a manifesto commitment of my party; it's now a programme for government commitment. It's something that the First Minister is very keen to see in this term of Government, and we expect to see it in this term of Government. And I have asked for a meeting, which hasn't taken place as yet, but it is in my diary, I think, within the next three or four weeks. So, I will be very happy to update Members when I've had that meeting. 

In relation to your first point, I cannot meet with every business to discuss every policy of every Cabinet colleague across the portfolio, and I'm sure that you will appreciate that. However, as north Wales Minister, as I say, I spend days dedicated to north Wales, and if any business wants to write to me, obviously they are very welcome to do that. And I did discuss the visitor levy with several businesses over the summer. For instance, I visited Dylan's in Llandudno to discuss their apprenticeship scheme, and took the opportunity proactively to ask their views. 

You seem to think it's a really bad thing. I disagree. We have tourism taxes. Where I went on holiday this year, there was a tourism tax. Did I think twice about it? No, I didn't. I didn't have to think 'Well, I'm not going to go there because they've got a tourism tax.' If those taxes are spent wisely, it will absolutely boost tourism in north Wales, so I profoundly disagree with you on what you were saying, particularly about the Labour Party and the way that we treat businesses. Of course we're pro north Wales; you wouldn't expect me to say anything else, would you? I'm from north Wales and I'm very proud to be from north Wales, and this is not the bad thing that you seem to portray it to be. 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor. 

Thank you very much. I want to start with a question on TB, Llywydd. The latest statistics on—

I'm sorry, Presiding Officer, I'm having issues; I've got a horrendous crackle on my feed and I cannot hear. 

I wonder if that's to do with the water that was spilt earlier on in the meeting. [Laughter.]

It could be. 

Perhaps it's possible to change the ear piece. 

Sorry. Or can I listen somewhere else?

Yes. Why don't you move?

Sorry. 

Mabon will pause and repeat now.

Yes. No problem.

I don't think it's the earpiece, because that wasn't on the stand.

Take your time.

Apologies.

No, that's okay. 

Mabon ap Gwynfor to start again.

If we can just check that everything's working.

That's fine.

Excellent. Thank you very much.

Great.

I wanted to start with TB. The latest statistics on the number of infections in Wales are to be welcomed. The absolute numbers are reducing and we've see infections halving in number over the past 12 years here. But, the less encouraging news is that infections have started to appear in new areas of Wales, such as north Conwy and Denbighshire, and there are concerns that it's coming into Pennal in south Meirionnydd. You will know as well as anyone else of the huge damage that TB does not only to the livestock but also to the mental health of everyone related to the livestock, be it a farmer or a farrier.

If we are to prevent TB, then we must prevent it from spreading. Measures must be taken to prevent it from getting to new areas and limiting it where it already exists. The key to that is education and support. So, it's concerning to hear that the numbers using the Cymorth TB Cymru support service are very low, whilst in England there's great praise for the TB Advisory Service, with high numbers of users. I know that the Minister is aware of TBAS, so what lessons has she learned from the TBAS programme, what good practice will she adopt from it, and what steps is the Minister taking in order to identify why the numbers using Cymorth TB Cymru are so low, and how will we see an increase in the rates of use?

Thank you. Yes, we certainly would not want to see a drop in people approaching this service. You may be aware, I've recently established a technical advisory group to help with holistic support for the TB programme, and I've appointed Professor Glyn Hewinson, who I'm sure is known to you, to lead this work. It's a holistic approach to our TB programme, to the support we offer. You'll be aware that, every year, I do a statement here in the Chamber to update Members. As you say, we've seen a promising drop in some of the statistics, which is not the whole picture, and I appreciate that. We are seeing some stubborn areas and hotspots. Obviously, you refer to an area that had been quite low and is seeing an increase now, which we certainly don't want to see. I've asked the group to consider, for instance, the current TB testing regime to see if there's anything further that we can do. You'll be aware we had a consultation earlier this year, but I think I will ask Glyn to have a look at what we can do. Maybe the type of services we're giving are not what people want. So, we need to make sure it is absolutely what they want, because if it doesn't work for the farmers who require those services, then clearly it's not going to work for anybody.

I thank the Minister for that response. I want to turn my attention now to the issue of tree planting on farms. The Minister will be aware of the case of Tyn y Mynydd farm in Anglesey and the fact that the Government's forestry department bought good arable land there for the purposes of tree planting. Now, good agricultural land is rare in Wales, and the Government has taken steps to protect the best lands. Only around 7 per cent of Welsh land is considered the best and most versatile land—BMV land—and this land is graded as 1, 2 and 3a land. This land is so important that planning guidance from Government mentions the need to safeguard it for the purposes of agriculture. Indeed, the Minister for environment prevented the development of a solar farm in Denbighshire recently because it was BMV land.

So, consider my shock in going on the Welsh Government's mapping portal and seeing that the land at Tyn y Mynydd in Anglesey is graded as 2 and 3a, which is the most fertile land and land which needs to be protected. Seeing a Government department ignoring the Government's own guidance sets a dangerous precedent. If Government data is correct, then we must see plans for Tyn y Mynydd changing and the land should be rented back to a young local farmer. We must also strengthen guidance in order to safeguard the best agricultural land in Wales. Does the Minister for agriculture agree with me that it's entirely unacceptable that some of the best land of Wales, which is to be protected for the purposes of agriculture, has been purchased by the Government for the purposes of forestry, and does she agree that the plans should be changed forthwith?

Well, this is certainly something I've been looking into since I was made aware of this. Obviously, we do need to plant more trees; we know that, and I'm sure you will agree with that. Net Zero Wales did set out a target of planting 43,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030, and we're looking to do that as part of our national forest for Wales. Obviously, as part of the sustainable farming scheme, we are looking to farmers to help us with the 10 per cent across all farmland. But, I am looking into the issue that you have just described, and I'd be very happy to write to you after further consideration.