Agenda and minutes

1.1    The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1.2    Apologies were received from Luke Fletcher MS in relation to item 2. Llyr Gruffydd MS attended as a substitute for this item, with Luke Fletcher MS present for the remainder of the meeting.

1.3    Hefin David MS was present for item 2, and gave apologies for the remainer of the meeting.

1.4    Under SO 17.24A, Andrew RT Davies MS, Samuel Kurtz MS, Llyr Gruffydd MS and Huw Irranca-Davies MS declared an interest in relation to item 2.

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government

Richard Irvine, Chief Veterinary Officer, Welsh Government

Gian Marco Currado, Director - Rural Affairs, Welsh Government

2.1    The Committee heard evidence from Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government), Richard Irvine (Welsh Government), and Gian Marco Currado (Welsh Government).

2.2    Huw Irranca- Davies MS and Hannah Blythyn MS both declared an interest in relation to a question in this session, under SO 17.24A.

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government

Emily Hole, Head of Trade Policy, Welsh Government

Helen John, Deputy Director -Borders Controls Programme, Welsh Government

Richard Irvine, Chief Veterinary Officer, Welsh Government

3.1    The Committee heard evidence from Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government), Rebecca Evans MS (Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government), Emily Hole (Welsh Government), and Helen John (Welsh Government).

Rebecca Evans MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government

Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Welsh Government

Jo Salway, Director - Social Partnership, Employability & Fair Work, Welsh Government

Duncan Hamer, Director of Operations - Business & Regions, Welsh Government

Liz Lalley, Director – Economic Strategy and Green Growth, Welsh Government

4.1    The Committee heard evidence from Rebecca Evans MS (Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government), Jack Sargeant MS (Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Welsh Government), Jo Salway (Welsh Government), Duncan Hamer (Welsh Government), and Liz Lalley (Welsh Government).

5.1    The Committee noted the papers.

6.1    The Committee agreed the motion to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting.

7.1    The Committee discussed the evidence heard under items 2, 3 and 4.

7.2    The Committee also agreed to invite the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs to a further general scrutiny session on rural affairs early in the Autumn term.

8.1    The Committee discussed the trade monitoring report.

9.1    The Committee considered their chapter of the final draft report, and agreed to its publication in the joint report.

10.1  The Committed discussed the key issues arising from the Soil Health in Agriculture inquiry, and agreed to move forward with drafting the Committee’s report.

11.1  The Committee agreed the draft report for publication.

12.1  The Committee considered its planned forward work programme for the Autumn term, in light of expected legislation soon to be introduced by the Welsh Government falling under the Committee’s remit.

12.2  The Committee also discussed and agreed moving forward with a new inquiry into Inward Investment, with evidence sessions expected to be planned towards the end of the Autumn term.