Speaking at the RSPCA Cymru Gala Dinner at the Pierhead on Monday night (5 November), Lesley Griffiths said the Welsh Government was committed to improving welfare standards for puppies.

The consultation will look to gather evidence on what stage the government should intervene in large scale breeding premises and address concerns about animal welfare.

It comes after the Cabinet Secretary vowed to look into banning the third party sales of puppies earlier this year.

Lesley Griffiths said: 

“Wales has led the way in animal welfare legislation and we’re determined to keep raising standards of responsible animal ownership. 

“I know there are growing concerns about the welfare standards at some large scale breeding premises and I have asked my officials to investigate how a ban on third party sales could address these concerns.  

“Information on the supply chain of puppies is of particular significance in this process. At what point in this chain will Government intervention have the biggest impact? The beginning or the end? Or both? It is absolutely essential we address the root cause of any welfare concerns in changes to legislation and I will launch a consultation early in the New Year.”

The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) has launched the initiative in a bid to raise awareness of the climate change challenges salmon faces and showcase the benefits it has to the rural economy.

The outreach campaign is being launched with an England and Wales webpage, www.yearofthesalmon.org, hosted by the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).  

The webpage will contain all relevant England and Wales salmon information and be updated with events for the wider public to engage with.

Wild Atlantic salmon are one of England and Wales most iconic species, and a vital indicator of healthy aquatic environments, but the fish are in a perilous state in their marine and freshwater environments. 

This is because they face many challenges and uncertainties associated with climate change and human activities.

The International Year of the Salmon 2019 aims to engage the public, political representatives and the science community with a view to highlighting these issues.

Fisheries on rivers for salmon and sea trout also provide significant economic and cultural importance to the rural economy in Wales, with angling generating over £150 million for the Welsh economy each year.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: 

“I wholeheartedly back the International Year of the Salmon and hope the fishing industry ‘takes the bait’ in efforts to boost its conservation and restoration.

“Angling, whether it is done on an industrial scale or for recreation through licensing for local clubs, is a key part of our rural economy.

“It is important those in the industry give their full backing to this campaign, so we can protect the sustainability of salmon fishing in Wales and further boost the Welsh economy.”

Kicking off towards the end of what has been a challenging year for UK retail, the new campaign is a joint venture between the Welsh Government and the Welsh Retail Consortium, and is intended to challenge growing misconceptions around the future of the sector.

Despite current industry challenges, retail remains Wales’ largest private employer with nearly 12,000 shops providing more than 130,000 jobs. And shops exist in nearly every community in Wales, providing a vital service for local people and visitors and often ensuring an important social outlet and meeting place.  

One element of the new campaign centres around the fact that retail is a dynamic industry and one that is transforming at a rapid pace to meet consumer needs. Coupled with the fact that it offers flexible working hours and good pay rates, which grew on average by 7% last year, the campaign promotes retail as an excellent career choice and one that often offers good progression opportunities.

The other element of the campaign focuses on the community benefits of the sector, with retailers across Wales driving local economic growth, investing in the communities in which they are located and providing a vital  back drop for social interactions.

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said;

“I am proud to be part of this campaign which celebrates and promotes the good work of our retail sector. Shops of all shapes and sizes play an important part in our daily lives, but with changes to the way people shop and increased competition, there is no doubt that this a tough time for the sector.

“The stark reality is that if we don’t celebrate the sector and ensure we make good use of it, we are in danger of losing crucial parts of it.

“My  Economic Action Plan recognises the importance of retail and identifies it as one of our four Foundation Sectors. This  means we are working across Government to increase the sustainability of the sector and to improve  its image and how it is perceived. We are also working to maximise the impact that retail has within our  communities and regions.

“This new  campaign which celebrates the contribution of retail to our economy, our communities and as a career provider fully supports these ambitions , and I hope it will help to ensure a thriving future for the sector.”

Head of Welsh Retail Consortium, Sara Jones said:

“Welsh retail is an exciting, dynamic and diverse industry undergoing profound transition. A thriving retail sector is a great route to better paid jobs, more private sector investment, sharper prices for consumers, and a key route to market for producers.

“Here in Wales it is a key social and economic contributor and is the largest private sector employer, providing employment and services in communities right across the country. Members of the Welsh Retail Consortium are working hard to offer rewarding careers and have committed to work towards roles that offer greater flexibility, are well-remunerated and have clear progression routes for colleagues.

“This campaign offers the opportunity to showcase those opportunities as well as the important role that retail plays in our everyday life.”

The listed building at 7 Abergele Road, will be completely transformed into meeting and office space for the creative industries by Conwy Council working with the North Wales Development Trust. 

Housing and Regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans said: 

“I recently announced an investment of £1.4m to rejuvenate commercial space in Colwyn Bay and I am delighted to announce this additional £610,000 of funding. The creative industries are a growth area in Wales and I hope that this funding will help the town to attract SMEs and jobs in the industry. This project will use a historic building to create a new story for the area.”

Cllr Louise Emery, Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development said:

“We’re delighted that this funding has been awarded to bring this striking and significant building in Colwyn Bay back into use to provide accommodation for businesses in this important and growing sector of the economy. The development promises to provide another important element in the continuing regeneration of the town.”

The development will include office space, networking and meeting facilities with the flexibility to use events in the evening. The space will be targeted at SMEs within the creative industry, building on the growing interest in Wales as a place for TV and film production. 

The investment is from the Welsh Government’s £108m Building for the Future Fund. The Fund is supported by £38m of EU funding and £16m from the Welsh Government as well as match funding from other public, private and third sector sources. The fund is regenerating town centres and surrounding areas by refurbishing or redeveloping derelict or under-used land and buildings and bringing them back to life. Funding for the Abergele Road project includes £183,000 of Welsh Government funding and £427,000 of EU funds.

This winter’s campaign includes a focus on the role of community pharmacists across Wales. Pharmacists are engaging with people to offer advice, promote key health messages and help people with complex medical conditions to complete a personal health plan to get ready for winter.

Choose Well, Choose Pharmacy this Winter aims to highlight the wide range of services available, which people may not be aware of, close to their homes and often at more convenient times in the evenings and weekends.

Mr Gething said: 

“Making the right choice of health service and advice will save you time and make sure you and your family get the right care quickly. In many cases pharmacists can provide confidential advice and treatment without the need to make an appointment.

“Health service staff will be working hard this winter – and we all have a part to play by Choosing Well.”

The My Winter Health Plan pack is aimed at helping people with long-term physical or mental health conditions provide vital information for visiting health professionals to allow more people to be seen and treated at home and avoid unnecessary trips to A & E.

Pharmacists will be able to sit down with patients to help them complete the form which includes information such as their emergency contacts and a list of their conditions.

The Welsh Government is working with Public Health Wales and Community Pharmacy Wales to ensure packs are available at all community pharmacies, more than 700 across Wales. The packs, which also provide useful tips to stay safe, warm and well in the winter, are also being distributed by Age Cymru and health boards.

Mr Gething, launching the campaign at Mayberry Pharmacy, Penarth, with pharmacist Elaine Hill, said: 

“Community pharmacists across Wales will be playing a vital role in advising you and your family on many common ailments, coughs or colds this winter.”

Penarth pharmacist Elaine Hill said: 

“Community pharmacists are playing an increasing role in providing support and advice to people in a convenient setting closer to people’s homes.

“One of the new services Mayberry’s is offering this year is a care home visiting service to provide flu vaccines to residents in the comfort of their homes.

“Pharmacies like ours can provide a range of services including face to face healthcare advice without the need to make an appointment, treatment for a range of common ailments including coughs, colds, sore throats, diarrhoea, runny nose, head lice, upset stomachs and headaches. We also offer confidential consultations with a qualified pharmacist in a private setting within the pharmacy.”

NHS Wales Chief Executive Andrew Goodall said that as winter approaches, it was important we all play our part in choosing well by making the right decisions on where to get advice and treatment when we are unwell to help ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and receive help quicker and nearer to home.

Dr Goodall said:

“Pharmacies, NHS Direct, opticians, dentists, Minor Injury Units, health visitors, community nurses, midwives and GP practices, can all provide quick and easy-to-access advice and treatment when looking after yourself at home isn’t enough. You can often do this in your local high street without the need to make an appointment.

“Making the right choice not only saves you time and ensures you and your loved ones get the right care quickly but it also helps NHS staff who will be working hard this winter.

“If you have a serious life-threatening emergency call 999 or go to A&E. But if not, consider the wide range of other options.”

Mark Griffiths, Chair of Community Pharmacy Wales, said: 

“Choose Well is a great example of community pharmacies working with Welsh Government and other primary care colleagues to help improve the health of people in Wales. You don’t have to make an appointment, and you can go along at a time that suits you, and your consultation will always be with a qualified pharmacist and will take place in a confidential area within the pharmacy. That’s why Choose Well is the best choice for people this winter.”

The NHS Direct Wales online symptom checker can also provide useful information on what treatment or service you need – NHS Direct or speak to somebody at NHS Direct 0845 46 47 or 111 where available. Parents with children under 12 can use the Choose Well web site for advice Choose Well