Written Assembly Questions tabled on 5 June 2017 for answer on 12 June 2017
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W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when the annual report on progress in delivering the new autism strategy will be published? (WAQ73641)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Persuant to WAQ73521, what consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to rolling out autism services across Wales sooner than 2018? (WAQ73642)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Persuant to WAQ73521, have there been any changes in the timetable the Welsh Government is following in delivering its autism strategy? (WAQ73643)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether the Welsh Government is on course to meet its targets and obligations as set out in the autism strategy? (WAQ73644)
Nick Ramsay (Monmouth): Would the Welsh Government support a future vote in favour of an Autism Act for Wales, and will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement explaining the Welsh Government's position? (WAQ73645)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
The Minister for Social Services and Public Health (Rebecca Evans): The Welsh Government published the new Autistic Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan in November 2016, along with a Delivery Plan for 2016-2020. This sets out the commitments we are making to improve the lives of people with autism and their parents and carers and the outcomes we want to achieve. We will provide an annual report on the progress we are making, to be published by March 2018.
We are working with our partners to deliver these ambitious actions. I have recently announced a further £7 million to deliver the National Integrated Autism Service across Wales by 2018, a year earlier than planned. We are already making good progress in achieving the outcomes we all want to see. For example, the Autistic Spectrum Disorder Implementation Advisory Group met for the first time in March, we have established neurodevelopmental assessment waiting time targets for children and young people and continue to roll out our Learning with Autism programme. We are developing new resources for professionals and for people with autism and their parents and carers, which are freely available on the ASDinfowales website.
The New Integrated Autism Service is now available in Powys and will open in Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf and Gwent in the coming months. Our additional investment brings a total of £13 million of funding for the service up to 2021. The new service will be rolled out to all regions in Wales by 2018. We have commissioned an independent evaluation of the implementation of the service.
At the planned plenary debate on autism on 14th June I will make a statement regarding the Welsh Government's position on the autism legislation in Wales.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the impact on crop yields of the restrictions on the use of neonics to arable farmers in Wales? (WAQ73638)
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the economic impact of the restrictions on the use of neonics to arable farmers in Wales? (WAQ73640)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The overall impact relating to the withdrawal of three neonicotinoid products is deemed to be low for arable crops and their yields in Wales. Oil seed rape (OSR) is the crop most likely to be affected by the restrictions. OSR accounts for approximately 2% of the total Welsh cropped area. Some concerns remain about the control of Turnip Yellow Virus damage in OSR as the industry is reliant on a limited range of products and modes of action for treatment of this pathogen. Low impact is also expected on pest control in linseed, spring cereals, pulses, soft fruit and top fruit as use of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam neonicotinoids was very low in Wales prior to withdrawal and alternatives for control are available.
Darren Millar (Clwyd West): What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to lifting restrictions on the use of neonics as pesticides, including post Brexit? (WAQ73639)
Answer received on 15 June 2017
Lesley Griffiths: I support the European Commission decision taken in 2013 to impose restrictions on neonicotinoids. As a result, three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) are not permitted for use on a wide range of crops "attractive to bees", including oil seed rape, maize and spring cereals.
The European Food Safety Authority is reviewing the effects on bees from seed treatment and granule uses of the restricted neonicotinoids on any crop. This review will take into account any new data from studies, research and monitoring which has been published since the ban was introduced in 2013 and is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2017. No consideration will be given to the lifting of any restrictions prior to the publication of this review.