Speaking ahead of a debate on Brexit and fisheries in the Senedd, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed financial support from Welsh Government and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the Seafood Market Development Project over the next four years.

The project, which has been developed as a partnership between Menter a Busnes and Seafish, will develop the market development of locally caught and processed seafood from Wales. 

It will also assist seafood businesses to define a clear seafood value, understand market needs, increase marketing expertise within the sector and encourage vessels to attain Responsible Fishing Scheme standard.

The project will engage with vessels and businesses from right across the Welsh seafood sector.  During the lifetime of the project, it is expected to support and engage with 60 businesses.

In September, the project will host a Trade Mission to Hong Kong to showcase the best of Welsh seafood at the Seafood Expo Asia 2018. 

The new project builds on the recently announced package of financial support for the fishery industry through the Welsh Government’s EU transition fund.  Through the fund, the fishing and aquaculture industries will receive financial support over the next two years to help the sectors find new markets and prepare for future trading outside the EU.

Cabinet Secretary said:  

“Brexit presents both challenges and opportunities for our fishery industry.  As a Government, we will do all we can to support the industry prepare for these challenges and help them adapt to a post-Brexit world.

“I am delighted to announce over £1m will be invested in the Seafood Market Development Project over the next four years to help market Welsh seafood domestically and internationally.  It will provide vitally needed support for the sector as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.

“This builds on the funding recently announced by the First Minister for the sector through our EU transition Fund. We want to make sure that sector has a strong and sustainable future and this funding will help identify trading gaps to ensure the industry thrives once we have left the EU.”

Following the Wales Act 2017 Welsh Ministers will take over responsibility for licensing onshore petroleum extraction from the UK Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) on the 1st October 2018.

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

The Cabinet Secretary added:

“By not undertaking any new petroleum licensing in Wales or supporting applications for hydraulic fracturing petroleum license consents, we will be taking a small, yet important step towards a decarbonised future in Wales and will be contributing to the global movement away from fossil fuels.”  

As a result, EU nationals who intend to study in Wales for the academic year 2019/20 will be eligible to pay the same tuition fees as Welsh students and will be eligible to receive loans and/or grants from Student Finance Wales.

This is a continuation of the Welsh Government’s current policy and means that students will be eligible to receive support until they finish their course.

EU students should consult their university’s student finance office, or the Student Finance Wales website, for information about the support available.

Kirsty Williams said:

“I am pleased to confirm today that EU students will continue to be entitled to student support in the 19/20 academic year.

“This is absolutely vital if we’re to continue to attract students from around the world to study and research at our universities.

“This will provide some welcome clarity for our universities and colleges regarding future funding, but also assures prospective EU students that there will not be any disruption to their funding as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

“Our universities are central to our social and economic future, which value and celebrate their links with Europe, and thrive through the diversity of the people who come to them.

“Today’s announcement sends a very clear message; Wales remains a friendly, outward-looking and tolerant place to study. We deeply value our students from the EU and beyond and look forward to welcoming many more to our world-class institutions.”

Minister for Children, Huw Irranca-Davies visited Millbrook Primary School in Bettws to see first-hand the work the school is undertaking as part of the Welsh Government’s Children First initiative.

Children First brings together organisations to work collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and young people based around a ‘place’. A long-term strategic focus is developed with communities to address local issues, to reduce the inequalities faced by the children, compared with children in more socially advantaged places, and improve their life chances.  

In Bettws, that ‘place’ is Millbrook Primary School. The school acts as the hub for the Children First Pioneer area. The school has established itself as a children’s learning community and has a history of working in partnership with other statutory and non-statutory services to deliver better outcomes for children.  

A number of services are co-located on the school site, including Prevent social workers, Gwent Police, as well as services which are delivered under the Welsh Government’s Flying Start and Families First programmes. 

Minister for Children, Huw Irranca-Davies said:

“It was a real privilege to visit Millbrook Primary School today.

“As Minister for Children, I want to ensure every child in Wales is given the very best start in life. Whilst education is absolutely crucial to a child’s development, they often need services that go far beyond the classroom.

“That’s why the Welsh Government has developed Children First. It’s about putting in place, in one place, the services children, their families and the wider community need to succeed. 

“By putting children first, Millbrook Primary School are leading the way in ensuring pupils develop life-long learning skills and are equipped to reach their full potential, and are able to play their part in the Wales of the future.”

The trade mission runs from 1st to 6th July. The first stop will be in Sao Paulo before the delegation moves on to the second leg in Rio de Janeiro.

The trade mission is multi-sector, with ten Welsh exporters from a range of sectors participating.

Welsh Government has been working with Department of International Trade in Brazil to provide in-market assistance to the companies.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“Visiting an overseas market can be a crucial element of winning and keeping export business and the markets and exhibitions in our programmes are selected to reflect current international developments.

“Brazil offers excellent opportunities for Welsh exporters across a wide range of sectors, including life-science, energy and manufacturing.

“It is great to see Welsh businesses looking to grow their business through exporting. They are showing their ambition and determination to grow by exploring opportunities in markets like Brazil.

“I am pleased we can support them in this and I hope the delegates make the most of this opportunity.”

Paul McDonnell is the Managing Director of Ruth Lee Ltd, an established family business in North Wales, employing around 25 people in their Corwen factory. They are market leaders in the manufacture of training manikins used by search and rescue organisations throughout the world, with core customers including the emergency services, the military, hospitals, care homes, aviation, Coast Guard and Lifeguards.

He said:

“We already export to most major markets around the world, but South America remains largely untapped for us. We have a small business in Brazil but believe that in such a large market we have significant potential to grow.

“The Trade mission gives us the opportunity to better understand the market, the challenges we must overcome and the opportunities open to us. By building business in Brazil we feel there will be a positive impact for us across Latin America as a whole.”