​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 23 September 2016 for answer on 30 September 2016

R - Signifies the Member has declared an interest.
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

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): Following the High Court judgement in the case of National Aids Trust vs NHS England, what assessment has the Welsh Government made of its ability to continue funding stem cell treatment for cancer patients in Wales? (WAQ71021)

Answer received on 30 September 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport (Vaughan Gething): The Welsh Government does not directly fund treatment. The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC) manages the access policy for blood and marrow transplantation for Welsh residents. The WHSSC commissioning policy (CP03) is based on the expert guidance of the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and is available to view at:
http://www.whssc.wales.nhs.uk/policies-and-procedures-1 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm the Welsh Government's position on shooting and conservation in Wales? (WAQ71014)

Answer received on 30 September 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The shooting of birds and wild mammals in Wales is governed and regulated by legislation which includes the Game Act 1831, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Deer Act 1991 (as amended) and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm how the Welsh Government's Programme for Government prioritises farming and agriculture? (WAQ71020)

Answer received on 30 September 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Agriculture plays a vital role in sustaining our rural communities, in delivering a healthy and prosperous nation and in contributing to the positive management of our natural resources.
The realisation of the Vision for Agriculture, which we have jointly developed with the industry, of a prosperous, resilient industry, promoting Wales’ present and future Well being is key . Taking Wales Forward 2016 - 2021 sets out positive measures that the Welsh Government will take alongside to help achieve this vision.

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm the number of times she has met her Westminster counterpart since the EU referendum result? (WAQ71012)

Answer received on 30 September 2016

Lesley Griffiths: I have more than one Westminster counterpart. To date, I have met George Eustice, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, at the Royal Welsh Show in July. I will be meeting UK Government Ministers on several occasions before Christmas.
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister provide a list of the animal welfare organisations that she has met with since becoming the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs? (WAQ71015)

Answer received on 28 September 2016

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I have met many animal welfare organisations and other bodies that have an interest in the welfare of animals, in a number of ways ranging from formal engagements to informal call-ins with their staff. This includes meetings with the RSPCA, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the Dogs Trust, Wildlife Trust Wales, Wales Environment Link, Songbird Survival, the RSPB, the British Veterinary Association and the National Sheep Association. I also have arrangements in hand to meet shortly with Animal Welfare Network Wales, whose membership includes over 500 organisations working in animal welfare in Wales.
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister publish a list of her engagements with a) farming unions, b) rural organisations and c) her counterparts in England and Scotland between now and Christmas? (WAQ71013)

Answer received on 28 September 2016

Lesley Griffiths: I will be continuing to meet a wide range of stakeholders between now and Christmas. The nature of Ministerial diaries is such that frequent changes are made so it would not be helpful to produce a list that could quickly become outdated. 
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister publish an update on the Welsh Pasture Project? (WAQ71019)

Answer received on 28 September 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Delivered as part of the Farming Connect programme, the latest update on the project was published on 19 September 2016. Further information can be found at https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/posts/welsh-pasture-project
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What action is the Welsh Government taking to promote the importance of good pig health and husbandry across Wales? (WAQ71018)

Answer received on 5 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Governments’ Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Implementation Plan for 2016-17include a principle for promoting animal health and welfare in Wales. A strand of work is underway to revise the pig code of practice, which will be taken forward working in partnership with key stakeholders.
http://gov.wales/docs/drah/publications/160804-animal-health-welfare-framework-2016-implementation-plan-en.pdf

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm the Welsh Government's intention to provide CCTV in slaughterhouses in Wales and can she provide an update on this agenda? (WAQ71017)

Answer received on 5 October 2016

Lesley Griffiths: Animal welfare is a priority of the Welsh Government, in line with the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework document which was launched in July 2014.
My predecessor, Rebecca Evans AM, the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, instructed a Safeguarding Animal Welfare at Slaughter Task and Finish Group to investigate the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses and the potential role of CCTV. This Group comprises Welsh Food Business Operators, industry representative bodies, senior veterinary officers and officials and will be reporting their findings to me soon.
Many slaughterhouses now choose to install CCTV systems as part of a welfare management system. All of the major slaughterhouses in Wales and all those supplying supermarkets have systems in place.
I will continue to work closely with industry on this matter and will await the report from the Task and Finish Group before considering whether I need to take further action.

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister confirm how much money has been allocated to the small grants scheme outlined in the Programme for Government and what the terms and conditions of that scheme are? (WAQ71016)

Answer received on 30 September 2016

Lesley Griffiths: I recently met with the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government to discuss the commitments within the Programme for Government. My intention is to launch the small grant scheme through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The budget and terms and conditions will be announced in advance of the scheme being launched.                                  

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What action is the Welsh Government taking to promote responsible horse ownership across Wales? (WAQ71011)