Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 10 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

The item started at 14.19

Answered by the Minister for Economy

Luke Fletcher (South Wales West): What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the High Court decision relating to Baglan energy park will have on businesses?

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.27

Questions 1-3 and 5-9 were asked. Questions 4 and 8 were withdrawn. Question 1 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing,  Question 9 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Social Services  The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister and Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing after question 2.

To ask the Minister for Social Justice

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the progress being made to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in Wales?

The item started at 15.16

Answered by the Minister for Social Justice

Mark Isherwood (North Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the progress being made to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in Wales?

The item started at 15.30

Janet Finch-Saunders made a statement on - The Great Orme Mines.  Uncovered in 1987 during a scheme to landscape an area of the Great Orme, the copper mines discovered represent one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of recent times.

Russell George made a statement on - Recognising the work of a constituent who set up a mental health walk and talk for men after a number of young men unfortunately committed suicide in Newtown.

NDM7953 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the continuing closure of religious buildings, including churches and chapels, throughout Wales.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to work with the different denominations in Wales to discuss the future of these buildings.

Co-submitters

Darren Millar

Jane Dodds

Rhys ab Owen

Supporters

Alun Davies

Russell George

Sam Rowlands

The item started at 15.33

NDM7953 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the continuing closure of religious buildings, including churches and chapels, throughout Wales.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to work with the different denominations in Wales to discuss the future of these buildings.

Co-submitters

Darren Millar

Jane Dodds

Rhys ab Owen

Supporters

Alun Davies

Russell George

Sam Rowlands

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7961 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee on its inquiry: A new direction for HGV Drivers, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 January 2022.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16 March 2022.

The item started at 16.27

NDM7961 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee on its inquiry: A new direction for HGV Drivers, which was laid in the Table Office on 25 January 2022.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16 March 2022.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7963 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that farmers and rural communities make to the health and prosperity of the nation;

2. Notes the negative impact on global food security stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the direct effect it has on people in Wales;

3. Believes that there needs to be an environmental and food production revolution in Wales;

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) convene a food summit including farmers, processors and retailers, so Wales can play its part in growing its food production base and boosting food security;

b) use the proposed Agriculture (Wales) Bill to enshrine food security as a public good;

c) make food security a key cornerstone of future support for Welsh farmers, including incentives;

d) support the proposed Food (Wales) Bill.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Regrets that the most immediate threat to food security for people living in Wales today is the cost-of-living crisis created by the Conservative UK Government.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a Wales Community Food Strategy to encourage the production and supply of locally-sourced food in Wales, supporting our communities to bring about positive change in our food system;

b) create a new system of farm support acknowledging ecologically sustainable local food production, reflecting the UN principles of Sustainable Land Management.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Notes the importance of productive small family farms in sustaining the economy, language and culture in rural Wales.

Believes cuts to Wales’s agricultural funding from the UK Government, alongside new Free Trade Deals with countries like Australia and New Zealand, will have a further negative impact on Welsh food security and production.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) convene a food summit including farmers, processors and retailers, so Wales can play its part in growing its food production base and boosting food security;

b) protect food security and production through providing stability payments as part of the next farming support scheme;

c) develop ways to reduce input costs for food producers and suppliers, to lower the cost of the food they produce for consumers.

The item started at 17.03

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7963 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that farmers and rural communities make to the health and prosperity of the nation;

2. Notes the negative impact on global food security stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the direct effect it has on people in Wales;

3. Believes that there needs to be an environmental and food production revolution in Wales;

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) convene a food summit including farmers, processors and retailers, so Wales can play its part in growing its food production base and boosting food security;

b) use the proposed Agriculture (Wales) Bill to enshrine food security as a public good;

c) make food security a key cornerstone of future support for Welsh farmers, including incentives;

d) support the proposed Food (Wales) Bill.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Regrets that the most immediate threat to food security for people living in Wales today is the cost-of-living crisis created by the Conservative UK Government.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a Wales Community Food Strategy to encourage the production and supply of locally-sourced food in Wales, supporting our communities to bring about positive change in our food system;

b) create a new system of farm support acknowledging ecologically sustainable local food production, reflecting the UN principles of Sustainable Land Management.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

[As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected]

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7963 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that farmers and rural communities make to the health and prosperity of the nation;

2. Notes the negative impact on global food security stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the direct effect it has on people in Wales;

3. Regrets that the most immediate threat to food security for people living in Wales today is the cost-of-living crisis created by the Conservative UK Government.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a Wales Community Food Strategy to encourage the production and supply of locally-sourced food in Wales, supporting our communities to bring about positive change in our food system;

b) create a new system of farm support acknowledging ecologically sustainable local food production, reflecting the UN principles of Sustainable Land Management.

The motion as amended was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 18.01 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.

The item started at 18.06

NDM7962 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Supporting communities at continuous risk of flooding: is it time to establish a flood forum for Wales?

The item started at 18.08

NDM7962 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Supporting communities at continuous risk of flooding: is it time to establish a flood forum for Wales?