Welsh Conservatives – cutting red tape in farming and banning plastic bags
Today the National Assembly considered two important debates put forward by Welsh Conservatives. There was also an important debate put forward by the Welsh Liberal Democrats opposing Identity cards.
Welsh Conservatives put down two motions one to cut red tape in farming which was introduced by Angela Burns. Angela citing graphically a farm in Pembrokeshire which has had seven visits in the last twelve months including two by the same inspector first for beef and then for dairy. There is no reason why these visits should not be amalgamated. It would cut bureaucracy, it would cut costs and it would cut the time that farmers have to spend on needless bureaucracy whilst still supplying the information that is needed.
It was gratifying that the Minister yesterday announced that there would be a review. I think everyone knows this was done because our debate was on the agenda. Still it is to be welcomed. It is very good news for everyone in Wales because it will save money, heartache and help our farming communities.
The other debate we put forward today was on banning plastic bags; We also sought to persuade the Welsh Assembly Government that it would be sensible to have a levy on disposable bags in the retail sector. I was surprised that the Minister was not prepared to be so radical. She wanted voluntary action and saw the importance of that but failed to take the necessary step across the Rubicon.
France has very successfully led with a ban so that, in France you cannot get plastic bags in supermarkets you need a bag for life; This is sensible.
It is not just a litter issue, though that is important. It is not just an animal welfare issue, though that is important. It is an important environmental issue and whilst we do need to talk to the supermarket and plastic sectors to ensure that there is proper consultation and to ensure the levy is brought in an effective way. We do need to move to have an effective levy with the money ring fenced to use on protecting our environment. That is the way forward on this most important issue, I believe.
On identity cards we supported the stance of the Welsh Liberal Democrats on this issues are fundamentally opposed to identity cards. We are also highly critical of the Governments loss of security data, which shows the dangers we run at the moment. Plaid supported the Labour Government in Westminster! It has been a very interesting day in the Assembly.
