208 contributions on record. Newest first, by sitting day. Page 1 of 5. Counted by Siambr
We are committed, of course, to delivering a new animal welfare plan for Wales, working closely with stakeholders and partners, and we will build on Wales's strong reputation for animal welfare and, of course, continue to maintain and enhance high welfare standards.
Well, of course, much of what you've referred to there is already illegal. The welfare of tethered horses is already considered under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and that places a legal duty on those responsible for horses to meet their welfare needs.
to meet their welfare needs. Now, that includes providing suitable shelter, an appropriate diet, necessary veterinary care, and the opportunity to exhibit normal behaviour. Tethering is unsustainable when it comes to long-term use, certainly, and the equine code of practice sets out conditions, including access to food, access to water, shelter, supervision, et cetera. As far as I'm concerned, the framework is there, so it then comes down to enforcement, of course, and enforcement remains the responsibility of local authority. Now, Welsh Government also, of course, funds Animal Licencing Wales, who are there to support local authorities, and I would expect effective enforcement to happen as a result of that.
Well, as you will know, Mike, the previous Government set up the greyhound racing ban implementation group. They have been charged with working through a number of those issues and striking the right balance, in terms of protecting the welfare of greyhounds that will no longer be raced, against other measures as well. I am expecting their second report, imminently. That, I would expect, will give me some advice in terms of the coming into force of the ban and, until I receive that, obviously, I'm not in a position to give you any dates other than to reassure you that this Government will introduce the ban according to the legislation within the window that is specified in law.
I can't give you that timetable here in the Chamber. I will write to you on that, specifically. But I can assure you that it is absolutely our intention to deliver that, at the very least within this Government, obviously, otherwise the moment will have passed.
Well, I think there's a very strong case to be made for taking all kinds of actions to reduce the stress and disturbance to animals and pets as a consequence, either of the fireworks in terms of noise or, as you say, spent fireworks that may be found in fields and other places where both wildlife and domestic pets would, potentially, come across. But, whilst the UK Government consultation is running,
whilst the UK Government consultation is running, I think it's only right that we await the conclusion of that process, and then, obviously, take stock from there.
Drwy ein rhaglen rheoli perygl llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol, mae yna dros £1.4 miliwn wedi ei ddarparu yn Sir Fynwy Torfaen y flwyddyn ariannol yma yn benodol. Rŷn ni'n amcangyfrif bod tua 947 eiddo wedi elwa o hynny, ac, wrth gwrs, mae e wedi helpu cymunedau, gobeithio, i addasu i newid hinsawdd.
Through our flood and coastal erosion risk management programme, over £1.4 million has been made available in Sir Fynwy Torfaen in this financial year specifically. We estimate that around 947 properties have benefited from that, and, of course, it's helped communities, hopefully, to adapt to climate change.
Thank you for that question. I met Monmouthshire council, actually, a few weeks ago to discuss some of these events and the section 19 report as well. But in October as well, I chaired a dedicated steering group that is now going to be working on establishing the Welsh flood forum. It brings together, yes, key partners and organisations, but also, critically, people with lived experience of flooding, which I think is a very important voice that needs to cut through in these deliberations. So, hopefully, their work, which has now started, will help shape a new national support network for those flood-affected communities. We do have a programme for government commitment, of course, to set that up during this Government term.
Now, we're looking to set up a charity, so that will take time, but we are learning from experiences in Scotland, where they've done this before us, and we're leaning heavily on the expertise and the experiences of the National Flood Forum, which of course is already in place, so that we can replicate some of that. So, I will shy away from giving you a date, other than to say I am absolutely committed to seeing this being in place as soon as possible, because it's critical to help communities prepare for flooding, respond to flooding and recover from flooding, and it's much, much needed.
We don't have a cost, no. But it's absolutely a system that's been inherited, and it's a system that, frankly, doesn't deliver the kind of drainage network that would benefit customers and nature and health and a number of other outcomes. You will be aware that developments have happened in terms of urban drainage systems and requirements through the planning system for new builds, et cetera, to try and separate grey water and rainwater and water running off our road infrastructure, for example, from sewers. But we are where we are. Now, we therefore look to the water companies and the water regulators to play their part in making sure that we are on the right path
on the right path and on a decent trajectory to getting to a place where we don't see these incidents occurring as often. I know there is a topical question coming up later on, which I'm sure will address some of these issues. So, yes, we're not where we would like to be, but regulators and water companies have a big part to play in that, and we as a Government are putting pressure on them to deliver.
Okay, there's a lot there, I'll try and remember all of it. First of all, I am here now today, this week. Ironically, you're asking for an opportunity to ask Ministers about the wildfire summit and you're asking me about the wildfire summit. So, you know, I mean—okay, maybe it could have been—[Interruption.] Hang on, it's my turn now, you've had your more than one minute. So, look, I'm here now, and I'll happily engage with you further outside of here if you want to go into greater detail. What I would say is, is it me? Is it the planning Minister? Is it the First Minister? This is a cross-Government endeavour. I suppose we could all appear and respond to the summit that was held.
But the important thing now is, as you say, the outcomes of that summit. There are clear, identified, immediate priorities that have been recognised as a consequence of the summit. We need to support a strengthened all-Wales wildfire board, that came through clearly, and we're committed to doing that. A new pan-Wales approach to monitoring spring and summer resilience risk, that is something that's going to be a work stream. A rapid evidence review to better understand the role of land management interventions is a particular piece of work that my officials are undertaking. We have already announced a separate review of the 'Heather and Grass Burning Code'.
In relation to your question about funding some of these interventions, it may well come up with a requirement for funding, and that will be a challenge for me then to go and see where I can identify the funding for that. The sustainable farming scheme can play a role as well, depending exactly on what the requirements are. We are going to bring—another outcome of the summit—international expertise to support Welsh fire and rescue services with training and preparation. We need a structured pan-Wales register, for example, for farmers and landowners to indicate where, out there, the willingness is to provide vehicles, equipment, local knowledge, support. Many of them stepped up. They played a critical role. Can we sort of formalise that in some way? We need to review evidence as well on options with the fire and rescue service on improved health monitoring and decontamination procedures for firefighters. We need exploration of further preventative actions to reduce risk, including public engagement. There's a big public education piece. You know, I could go on.
There are huge pieces of work, both individually and collectively spread across Government. We are getting on with it. I'm happy to sit down with you and go through this in greater detail. But please, the work has started.
Well, no decision has been made on the future of the school milk subsidy scheme, and there is a consultation on the future arrangements, but that's happening because the Rural Payments Agency will stop administering the scheme for Wales after the end of March next year. And the consultation considers two options: introducing a new scheme, delivered through existing school food funding arrangements or, yes, ending the dedicated milk subsidy scheme. But we will consider the consultation responses. And as the Minister for rural affairs, I have a view on this and I will make my view known through the consultation, as I hope all other Members and the wider public will.
And there's more.
Diolch. Well, the Member will know that I am a strong proponent of locally produced food being locally processed and locally procured or eaten ultimately. Now, we have set up, of course, the National Food Strategy Group that are going to be looking at developing the strategy for us. They have identified three priority work streams, one being the red meat supply chain in Wales and another one being food in our schools. So, as part of that work, they will be looking at some excellent examples that exist out there, actually, in terms of how we make this work. But, of course, at the minute, they're examples that are here and there—we need to mainstream those kinds of approaches.
So, I am putting great faith in the work of Simon Wright, as Chair, and the membership of that board to come up with some of these proposals or some of these actions that will turn that around. But there is a duty on local authorities as well. And I think, in fact, the public sector has a critical role to play here because we know the value of public procurement and the level of spend that's happening. But every 1 per cent extra that is spent on public procurement with companies, or through companies or producers in Wales, equates to around 2,000 additional jobs in the Welsh economy. So, if you increase procurement by 10 per cent, that's effectively 20,000 extra jobs in the Welsh economy. And, of course, you're not spending more money necessarily, you're just spending it in a different place.
So, there is much more that could be done, should have been done potentially in the past. But we're up for that challenge, because not only do we see the benefits
because not only do we see the benefits in terms of the economic value of being able to deliver that—. That is, there is an economic value. There may be slightly higher costs initially, but if you mainstream it, you'll get over that hump, but also, the money will come back in and you keep the pound circulating locally.
But there will be nutritional benefits, in terms of then rubbing off on public health. There will be environmental benefit because you're cutting down on food miles, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. And those are exactly the kind of interventions that I absolutely want to pursue, because they don't just achieve one of our cross-cutting goals, but they achieve two, three, four, delivering a win, win, win for Wales.
Well, there are a range of targets, aren't there, as you will know, because I know you'll be familiar with the legislation? There is a range of targets being worked on under the requirements for biodiversity targets through the legislation, the environment Act, that you referred to.
Now, I'm aware that nutrients is one of those that's being considered, and I'll undertake to meet with officials to be updated in terms of exactly where we are on those targets. But you'll also be aware that it was Plaid Cymru, of course, that pushed for strong and enforceable targets on biodiversity in that legislation, along with a real independent office of environmental governance. And the work on all of that, I can assure you, is ongoing. And what's important, I think, is that whatever targets are agreed, that they're deliverable, and, of course, enforceable.
Thank you for raising this because I think it's important that I have an opportunity to address this point. I suppose it depends what you mean by 'review' or what you mean by 'inquiry', because we've seen in other contexts how that can sort of create expectations or otherwise. So, maybe we can pick up on that outside of the Chamber.
But identifying and assessing potential contaminated land in the first instance, of course, is a matter for local authorities. That's how it's always been, and that's how it continues to be. And, in terms of the Welsh Government's contribution to that specifically, we provided guidance on how local authorities meet their duties under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Now, of course, I am aware—acutely aware—that communities are concerned about land contamination, and we take those concerns seriously.
But the best role, I think, that Welsh Government can play is to help develop a Wales-wide strategy to restore former industrial land and protect communities from potential risk. And, as part of that, of course, we're also pressing the UK Government, in terms of environmental justice, by raising this directly, as the Finance Minister has, I think, on three, maybe four occasions now, with the UK Treasury—I know the First Minister has raised it as well directly with the Prime Minister—so that we can sit down and discuss opportunities to come together, seeking UK Government funding to complement, potentially, Welsh Government funding to continue joint efforts to address this legacy.
We've done it through some of the work that happened under the previous Government in relation to coal tip safety.
in relation to coal tip safety. I see that as a model that we now need to pursue in relation to contaminated land.
Yes, I will. We have been, of course, promoting the benefits of vaccination. It's the only sustainable way at the minute that we have to fend off bluetongue and to keep it at bay. There is a real risk, as you say, that we will end up in 12 months' time where south-west England has been. We need to avoid that. I would urge farmers to speak with their vet, to vaccinate now, because obviously we're coming to the tail end of the season this year, but it will provide that protection, and then certainly being protected into the next term as well. So, the short answer is 'yes'.
That is a live consideration at the minute, but it isn't just in relation to fallen stock. We need to be clear that there is a sufficient supply of vaccines. We need to be confident that there is the testing and laboratory capacity in place. So, you know, it's part of a wider picture. I will undertake to pursue that further and report back to the Member, because there's a wider package of being ready, I think, for what we fear may be coming unless action is taken now.
Well, I'm keenly aware of the extensive impacts of the wildfires on farmers. This is why I increased advance payments for farm business from 70 per cent to 80 per cent, easing, hopefully, or helping to ease cash-flow pressure caused by the exceptionally difficult conditions farmers have faced this year.
Thank you for your question. I would agree with you, the testimony that we received in the wildfire summit, particularly from James Bourne and others, in fairness, was quite sobering, quite strong testimony from those who have been affected, and reminding us, I think, of some of the consequences that they're still living with now. Whilst maybe many people in their heads have moved on from the wildfires, some animals are still suffering in terms of respiratory issues, pneumonia, et cetera, et cetera, and I think it was important that we were reminded of that.
Now, of course, I recognise the call for financial support, particularly from commoners and those farmers who were directly involved in experiencing losses as a consequence of the fire. Now, what we did agree
Now, what we did agree at the summit was, as you've recognised, a programme of practical work to try and strengthen resilience and preparedness, including the rapid evidence review of land management; I mentioned the review of the heather and grass burning code as well. And I think there's a lot of work that's happening now that I think we need to consider the evidence that will come from as that comes forward to make sure that we focus on targeting interventions in the future and that those interventions are the ones that make the greatest difference to future resilience. I'm aware of the challenges, I haven't come to any decisions yet, but I think we need to look at it in the light of the wider sort of resilience piece as well.
Yes—although that is part of the wider mosaic, I think, of interventions and funding that's required. As you were asking the question, I was jotting down peatland restoration and re-wetting trees and you were trotting them off about three seconds after I was writing them down. So, they're very much on this broader menu, if you like, of interventions that we're now looking at; some of which, of course, are already pieces of work that the Government is delivering, but maybe we need to look at delivering at greater pace or at greater scale. But there is a resource challenge that has to be met in doing that to the extent that we would like, and that is something that we're considering in the wider context of the Welsh budget for next year.
I have recently received the advice paper from the TB programme board, which was informed by the technical advisory group. I plan to publish their paper later in November, along with the Welsh Government response.
Yes, it will be, and I will be making an oral statement as a consequence of that as well.
Well, yes, the Pembrokeshire project and the north Wales project as well, actually, have already demonstrated, I think, the value of close partnership working between, as you say, farmers, private vets, Government, and, of course, with that strong focus on herd level disease risks and practical action then, stemming from that. Now, of course, we'll need to make sure that the lessons we draw from that are based on the fullest evidence available. So, we're awaiting final reports from the projects, alongside an independent review, and there's a review meeting actually taking place, I think, in a month or two
actually taking place, I think, in a month or two as well, to reflect on some of that. And these findings will absolutely help inform the refreshed TB eradication programme, including, of course, how the most effective elements of the approaches we've seen in Pembrokeshire and north Wales can be delivered more widely across Wales. And the aim always has been to build on what we think works, whilst, of course, ensuring that any future targeted interventions reflect local disease risks and can be delivered effectively.
The Welsh Government supports new entrants across Wales through Farming Connect and through Start to Farm, helping develop skills, experience and business opportunities. Newly established farm businesses can also, of course, access agricultural support schemes as they become available, subject, of course, to individual scheme eligibility requirements.
Well, thank you. Yes, I absolutely recognise the importance of helping young people, wherever they are, really, in Wales, to be able to build their careers within agriculture if they wish to do so. I'm due, actually, to meet the chair and chief executive of the Development Bank of Wales later this month, so that we can start exploring how we can help young people establish and develop their farming businesses.
You'll be aware that we currently work with the development bank on the sustainable agricultural loan scheme, which is all about making farms more sustainable and more resilient in the face of climate change. So, there's a model there, maybe, that we may wish to consider, but there will be other possible options as well. But regardless of the work that we hope to do with the Development Bank of Wales, we are as well providing, of course, funding, through Farming Connect, for mentoring, special advice, one-to-one surgeries, et cetera, and business development support, as well, for those wishing to come into the industry. And the Start to Farm scheme, particularly as well, can offer substantial bespoke support services, and there's financial support as well for developing business plans, et cetera. So, there's a lot happening, but there's always more that we can do.
Yes, and I'd be grateful if the Member could share some of the information that he has about the interventions that they're providing in France. There's no harm at all in learning from experiences in other countries.
But what I do know is that we do have, as I mentioned, some form of support through Farming Connect, which helps young people develop skills and business opportunities—accredited training as well, actually, which is a big part of it, as well as the mentoring and the specialist advice I mentioned. But with Start to Farm particularly as well, that does offer more targeted support for people looking to establish themselves in the industry, particularly those, maybe, as you say, who don't have access to land, that aren't part of farming families or whatever. It provides practical experience through structured work placements, it can match new entrants with farmers and landowners who, maybe, are looking for joint ventures, who are looking, maybe, to step back from farming a little bit as well. There's fully funded business support, a few thousand pounds, available.
a few thousand pounds, available. There are a few more thousand pounds available per partner then towards specialist advice. There's money available to develop business plans. As I say, there's always more that we could do, but I'm always keen to learn from other experiences and learning maybe about the information that you have from what they do in France would be very valuable. I'd appreciate it.
Mae llwybr arfordir Cymru yn parhau i fod ar agor trwy Baglan, gyda dau opsiwn y gallwch eu dilyn nawr. Rŷn ni hefyd wedi cytuno ar lwybr caniataol newydd gyda Chyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot. Mi fydd hyn yn gwella mynediad at yr arfordir, gan osgoi'r hen lwybr ar hyd glan afon, sy'n parhau i fod yn anniogel oherwydd bod yna ansadrwydd difrifol ar y tir yn fanna.
The Wales coast path remains open through Baglan, with two route options available. We have also agreed a new permissive path with Neath Port Talbot Council. This will provide improved access towards the coast, while avoiding a former riverbank path, which remains unsafe because of serious ground instability.
Thank you. Okay, there are a few things there. Maybe I will follow up by writing to the Member in case I miss any particular aspect of that. Maps will be made available, clearly, because people need to know where they're able to walk. But my officials are working with Neath Port Talbot Council to get the new permissive path, as you say, open and available for local people and visitors to use as soon as possible.
Now, the new permissive path will be approximately 3.5 km long and will provide access along just over 2 km of the former Wales coast path alignment, leaving only around a 1.5 km stretch of the former route unavailable. I recognise the importance of securing good quality public access for local communities to these sites, and as landowner, the Welsh Government, of course, will need to retain flexibility over the future management and use of this particular land whilst keeping longer term arrangements for the route under review with the council. So any decision to create a permanent public right of way would need to be balanced, I think, against the benefits of securing access for the public with future potential management and use, I should say, of the land.
So, we’re not currently looking to make it a permanent public right of way, but are absolutely wanting to make sure that people can enjoy it and can have access to it.
Well, as I'm sure you will know, I've brought forward the control of agricultural pollution review recommendations relating to the closed periods to make sure that they're considered in the short term now as opposed to the medium term, as was originally proposed. The recommendations are currently being considered by the task and finish group, which will help inform the development of proposals for changes to this aspect of the regulations.
Well, I haven't changed my mind on this, you know. I still don't believe that the current regulations are fit for purpose. And, of course,
And, of course, I was totally vindicated by the review undertaken by Dr Bolton, who came to a similar conclusion, when it comes to using the calendar to define when the right time is to dispose of slurry. That is work that is now addressed. That has been prioritised. I've asked the task and finish group to prioritise that when it comes to looking for a longer term, more sustainable arrangement. So, work is happening to address that very issue.
In the meantime, of course, we did have a certain set of extreme circumstances this year that necessitated more immediate action, hence the decision to avoid, actually, on balance, greater environmental risks when it comes to slurry stores maybe overtopping or even failing catastrophically—something that Natural Resources Wales had been concerned about as well. So, we did introduce an intervention for this year, but, longer term, absolutely, my intention is to be true to my word, and the task and finish group are currently, hopefully, diligently getting to work in finding a way to achieve that.
The summit was an important step in strengthening how we protect agricultural landscapes from future wildfires. It brought farmers, land managers and responders together, as you heard me say earlier, to share their experience and to look at how we can work together more effectively, recognising, of course, the role active land management has in building more resilient landscapes.
There's a wide recognition, isn't there, that this is one of a wider tapestry of challenges and interventions, or potential interventions, that need to be considered, particularly around barbecues and anti-social behaviour. We had representatives from the police there, amongst others, as well.
Much of it comes down to a level of public education, I think, so that people realize the risk that they're taking when they undertake certain activity in the landscape at these times. But some of it, you're right, comes down to tackling anti-social behaviour. There are ways of intervening. There's been talk of banning these disposable barbecues, et cetera. That's very much still on the table. But I did, as I'm sure the Member registered in a previous answer, refer to this wider public education piece as one important workstream that has come out to the summit.
I welcome Ofwat's report, and I am concerned by the issues highlighted by the regulators. It's clear that water companies in Wales must deliver sustained improvements for customers and for the environment. This Government will continue to work with regulators to hold companies to account and will take full control, hopefully, of water in Wales so that we can strengthen accountability and ensure regulation reflects Welsh priorities.
Thank you for those comments, much of which I agree with. Of course, the Welsh Government has no—. Dŵr Cymru is not accountable to Welsh Government, it's accountable to the regulators. That's why we work with Ofwat and Natural Resources Wales. Ofwat has, of course, a power to deal with bonuses now in a way that they didn't have previously. So, we don't have a role in determining executive pay as much as maybe we would like.
But when I do meet with Dŵr Cymru, because water is of huge public interest, I make it clear what my expectations are in terms of performance. And their performance on key metrics such as pollution incidents, leakage, customer outcomes are unacceptable and they need to improve.
Now, we can recognise that progress is being made in some areas, internal sewer flooding and storm overflows, of course, but overall performance, as you say, is not where it needs to be. I expect Dŵr Cymru and Hafren Dyfrdwy and all companies to demonstrate sustained and measurable improvement, particularly on supply interruptions, on leakage, on external sewer flooding, on pollution, et cetera.
Customers are being asked to fund significant investments in their water services. It's only, therefore, right that they can expect tangible improvements in performance, in resilience and in environmental outcomes. Regulators have to continue to hold the company firmly to account, making sure that commitments translate into improved outcomes, both for customers and for the environment.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Natural Resources Wales has confirmed that the fuel discharge has now stopped, with mitigation measures preventing residual fuel from reaching the River Taff. Clean-up and assessment of potential environmental impacts on the river habitat and wildlife continue, and NRW will of course continue to monitor developments closely.
Diolch yn fawr for your question—or for your questions, I should say; there are a number of questions there, but rightly need responding to.
The first thing I would say is that I have spoken directly with Natural Resources Wales about this significant incident and the ongoing response. I fully recognise the concern that it has caused for local communities and for those with an interest in or an involvement with or living nearby the River Taff. NRW have confirmed to me, as I said in my initial answer, that fuel discharge has now stopped and that current mitigation measures are preventing residual fuel in the tributary from reaching the River Taff, and clean-up and environmental assessments are continuing.
You asked about the volume particularly, but also the source and maybe a little bit about the precise circumstances of the release. Those remain matters for NRW's ongoing investigation, but you're right: early reporting made claims that a considerable amount, estimated at up to 25,000 litres, may have been lost into the site's surface water drainage system. But I wouldn't want to present that estimate as some sort of final confirmed figure, because, as I say, investigations continue. For example, my understanding is that the tank could potentially contain that much; it's not clear yet how much was in it. And, of course, not all of it would have found its way into the river—some of it would have been contained or collected on site before reaching there. So, we need to be mindful of that, but, obviously, this will become clearer over time. The pollutant has, though, been identified as kerosene.
I've discussed the ongoing response with NRW, and I'll continue to keep closely sighted on developments there. The site operator's specialist contractor, who they brought in very early on, continue recovery and clean-up activity, including maintaining and replacing containment booms, whilst NRW continues to assess the environmental impact. NRW officers have observed impacts on aquatic invertebrates, which may be linked to this incident. The information currently available doesn't provide a firm timescale for completion of the clean-up—which is another question you asked—or any subsequent habitat restoration that might follow as a consequence. Again, I wouldn't want to speculate on that today, but that work is ongoing. NRW will continue to work with the site operator to establish the cause, and they will ensure that all possible steps are taken to prevent further spills.
The circumstances of the incident and its environmental impacts remain under investigation, and it would therefore not be appropriate for me to speculate on who is responsible, or anticipate any regulatory or enforcement action that might follow. But, again, I would reiterate—I'm sure, on behalf of everyone here—our thanks to all of those who have been involved in the response effort, which, I have to say, happened promptly and in a very effective manner.
Thank you for the question. Frankly, everything you've asked for is in train. It will be the responsibility of NRW to provide all of that information. On cost recovery, clearly, they will need to establish liability, if there is liability, and then they will proceed in the appropriate manner, either through the courts or whichever way they believe is most appropriate. I have to question, if you dismantle NRW, as you describe it, the question remains, who would actually be dealing with these situations when they arise? Maybe that's something that you may wish to ponder.
Thank you for those questions. NRW are leading the effort in that environmental context, that is their role, but they are also liaising very closely with Public Health Wales and fire and rescue services as well. In terms of public health, you're right, there have been messages put out there by Public Health Wales; some will see them, others, unfortunately, will not. That's a constant challenge in these situations, and any learning that can be taken from any event is taken on board, I hope, and reflected upon. The advice has been clear. Obviously, if you can smell kerosene, then the advice is to keep windows and doors closed and avoid contact with any affected water—that goes for pets and children particularly. Anyone who does consequently feel unwell or concerned needs to contact NHS Wales 111, and the system will respond to that in the best way it can. I think public bodies have been providing that information as best they can, but there will always be room for improvement in that sphere.
Look, until the investigations have been completed, I am loath to point the finger as much as Members would like me to. Clearly, where liability is identified—let's put it that way—then NRW will take appropriate action. That is their role and that is what we all expect of them.
In terms of seeking the source of the incident, my understanding is that whilst maybe it had been identified early on, once it was in the drainage system, which can be very complex, it's very difficult then to know exactly where that goes. So, maybe there's a bit of confusion around the source as opposed to the numbers of ways that that water could actually escape the site. But again, all of this will come out in the wash once the initial response and recovery has taken place. There will be a process then to make sure that we look at the results of all of that.
In terms of the environmental impact, of course—and that is clearly an important factor here—NRW are waiting for results of samples for biological and ecological investigations. Drone surveys have been conducted so that they can visually assess the impact as well. I am told that 10 dead fish have been recovered from the river as a consequence of this. Ten dead fish. But, of course, impacts on invertebrates will mean greater ecological impacts as well, and I'm not downplaying that for a second.
Yes. And? [Laughter.]
Yes and yes. And you will note, of course, that the Deputy Minister with responsibility for public health is here to make sure that all of Members' concerns are fully taken on board. This is an ongoing issue, not just particularly in relation to this incident. These are the challenges that we will continually have to face. A changing climate makes that battle more difficult as well, as we experience more extreme weather events, which no doubt will test infrastructure and these kinds of facilities to a greater extent in years to come.
It does remind us that we always need to be vigilant, always need to be diligent, and I would encourage, by the way, members of the public to make full use of NRW's hotline. There is a hotline there. People can go to their MSs, they can go and put stuff on social media, but ultimately, if you want a swift response, you need to let NRW know first. That would be another plea of mine today. Diolch.
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