Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefyndd
Julie James MS, Minster for Climate Change
In accordance with the inter-institutional relations agreement, we wish to notify you a meeting of the Inter- Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was held on 13 September 2023.
The meeting was chaired by Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd. The meeting was also attended by Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, Mairi Gougeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Dr Therese Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs; Lord Benyon, Minister of State for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs; James Davies MP, Parliamentary Under–Secretary of State for Wales and Mrs Katrina Godfrey, Permanent Secretary in absence of Northern Ireland Minister
The meeting opened with a discussion on preparations for the implementation of the Windsor Framework. Work has been completed at pace to ensure we are ready for implementation of the majority of the framework on 1 October 2023. The pet travel scheme and GB labelling are due to come into force next year. Collaboration will continue in order to ensure these are ready for 2024.
There was a discussion on the preparations for COP28 and how we can identify the shared domestic priority areas to focus our net zero efforts.
Following this the Scottish Government presented a paper on their proposal to ban the possession and sale of rodent glue traps in Scotland and its interaction with the Internal Market Act. The Scottish Government is looking to the other governments to confirm they have received all the information required to make a final decision on whether or not to support an exclusion.
The final substantive item involved a discussion on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the importance of ensuring the devolved governments are involved in discussions for the EFRA-facing aspects for future free trade agreements.
Finally, there was a number of any other business items, including the Dangerous Dog Act, water quality monitoring, the Live Export Bill and a ban on wet wipes containing plastic. Ministers agreed to joint work to look at current approaches to water quality monitoring and reporting in each country.
The next meeting will be held in November.