​Written Assembly Questions tabled on 9 February 2017 for answer on 16 February 2017

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 First Minister

Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister provide a gender breakdown of civil servants in the top three pay grades with names and position? (WAQ72060)

Answer received on 10 February 2017

The First Minister (Carwyn Jones): Staffing matters within the Welsh Government are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. I have asked her to write to you separately with the information you have requested. 

 
Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales): What percentage of civil servants in Wales are female? (WAQ72061)

Answer received on 10 February 2017

Carwyn Jones: Staffing matters within the Welsh Government are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary. I have asked her to write to you separately with the information you have requested. 
 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Does the Welsh Government have any intention of making any changes to the Sheep Scab Order 1997, and will she confirm what discussions have taken place with the UK Government and the Scottish Government on this issue? (WAQ72062)

Answer received on 15 February 2017

Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Welsh Government has no plans to change the Sheep Scab Order 1997.  There have been no discussions with either UK Government or Scottish Government. 

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Following the Welsh Government's consultation on "A refreshed TB Eradication Programme" which closed on the 10th January 2017, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when she intends to bring forward a statement on the Welsh Government's next steps in tackling Bovine TB? (WAQ72063)

Answer received on 15 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: I will make a statement on a refreshed TB Eradication Programme in early May, 2017.

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the Welsh Government's assessment of the UK Government's plans to introduce a single Animal Establishment Licence? (WAQ72064)

Answer received on 14 February 2017

 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Further to WAQ71403, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm when she will publish the research commissioned by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group as well as the recommendations for tackling sheep scab in Wales? (WAQ72065)

Answer received on 16 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: I will be looking to publish the research commissioned by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group along with recommendations for tackling sheep scab in Wales by the end of March 2017.  This is later than originally planned as, following initial consideration of the survey results, the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Group requested additional spatial analysis of the survey data to be carried out. I understand the Group have now received this information and are working to complete their analysis and agree their recommendations on the way forward.

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on Action 28 of the Welsh Government's action plan - 'Towards Sustainable Growth' in relation to Foreign Direct Investment? (WAQ72066)

Answer received on 15 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths:  In the last two years, Wales has enjoyed record levels of inward investment. In 2014-15, Wales attracted the highest number of inward investment projects over the past 30 years. This was closely followed by our second most successful year in 2015-16. In the last two years, investment by foreign owned companies in the food and drink sector has created and safeguarded more than 1,000 jobs in Wales.

To support this further, Welsh Government launched a new trade and investment campaign in November 2016, with the introduction of a new website www.tradeandinvest.wales, alongside a suite of new materials, including those focussed specifically on the food and drink sector. This campaign has appeared in the UK national media, as well as using paid search and social media to promote Wales as a business destination. We have also seen an 83% growth in our twitter following @InvestWales.

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Following the Welsh Government's consultation on "Nitrate vulnerable zones in Wales" which closed on the 23rd December 2016, will the Cabinet Secretary confirm the Welsh Government's next steps in relation to Nitrate Vulnerable Zones? (WAQ72067)

Answer received on 20 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: The next step will be to issue the summary of responses and after analysing the responses to publish a Government response.
 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Further to WAQ71963, will the Cabinet Secretary justify why she believes that Bovine Viral Diarrhoea is not a "notifiable disease" given that the Welsh Government's website offers guidance and indicates that legislation may be required to tackle this issue? (WAQ72068)

Answer received on 15 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is a disease which is endemic in Great Britain.  There is no legislation in place requiring livestock keepers to notify suspicion of BVD.  The Welsh Government website contains guidance to inform the livestock industry on a number of animal diseases, which are not designated as “notifiable”, for example, Schmallenberg virus. Non-notifiable animal diseases do not require Government intervention for their control. BVD is an economic disease, and it is in the interest of industry to take effective action to control it, to ensure the welfare of their animals and protect their business. 

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): What is the Welsh Government's position on the creation of a Dairy Producer Organisation to support the dairy sector in Wales? (WAQ72069)

Answer received on 16 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: The Supply Chain Efficiency Scheme in the previous RDP funded a report which considered the feasibility of forming a Dairy Producer Organisations (DPOs) in Wales. The report highlighted that a significant barrier to establishing a DPO is the high number of Welsh dairy farmers who are members of farmer co-operatives (for example, First Milk, South Caernarfon Creameries, Arla). Dairy farmers supplying a farmer co-op are not permitted to join a DPO. Therefore while I am supportive of the formation of Dairy Producer Organisations (DPOs) in Wales I recognise it is ultimately for individual dairy farmers to decide if this is the best way forward for their businesses.

I have, however, also made available funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme  to provide information to Welsh dairy farmers considering the formation of a DPO. An Agrisgôp group has already begun the work of considering a Welsh DPO. Farming Connect also held a “DPO Summit” on 14 November 2016 which brought together those Welsh dairy farmers and those involved in the wider dairy sector who were interested in considering a DPO.

 
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what the Welsh Government is doing to promote and support allotments in Wales? (WAQ72070)

Answer received on 15 February 2017

Lesley Griffiths: In 2014 the Welsh Government published a consultation on 'Improving the availability of allotments and community gardens'. It was clear from the responses received that there was a lack of useful guidance available on managing existing sites and support for developing new sites.

In 2015 the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens was contracted by the Welsh Government to draft Guidance, which was then published in March 2016 and is available on the Welsh Government's website.

'Welsh Government Guidance for traditional allotments and community led gardening projects' has been developed specifically for Wales and is aimed at Local Authorities, landowners, growers and schools.  It provides comprehensive advice on issues relating to formal allotments whilst providing help and encouragement for less traditional forms of community gardening, including advice for public and private landowners on how to make land available for growing, how to find appropriate funding and other support for existing and new sites, and advice on structures and other planning concerns. 

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): What actions is the Cabinet Secretary taking to mitigate the number of attacks on sheep by dogs? (WAQ72071)

Answer received on 14 February 2017.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): The Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework provides the strategic direction for animal health and welfare in Wales. The promotion of responsible ownership remains a key priority, requiring engagement with the veterinary profession, Health, Education, and owners of animals in Wales.

To promote animal welfare standards and responsible ownership the Welsh Government is reviewing a number of Codes of Practice and Recommendation for pets and farm animals, including dogs.  The Codes remind owners of their obligations relating to controlling their dogs. Welsh Government has been working in partnership with the animal welfare sector to prepare versions, which will be subject to a public consultation later this year.