Group 10 is our next group, and these amendments relate to Welsh Ministers' plans and reports under section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. Amendment 49 is the lead amendment, and I call on Carolyn Thomas to move the amendment.

Amendment 49 (Carolyn Thomas) moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I want to speak to amendments 49, 50 and 51 together, please, and these are on the OEGW role in biodiversity targets. The Bill requires the OEGW to set out in its strategy how it intends to monitor statutory environmental targets. The explanatory materials clarify the expectation that the OEGW will use its independent expertise to determine which targets to monitor and to what extent. However, some have called for the Bill to go further. These amendments seek to balance the call for more detail on the face of the Bill in terms of the OEGW's role in respect of biodiversity targets, against the importance of protecting the OEGW's ability to choose their own priorities and areas of focus based on their expertise. To that end, the amendments place a duty on the Welsh Ministers to consult with the OEGW when they are preparing a section 6 plan. This express provision provides a clear opportunity for the OEGW to shape the content of the plan before it's finalised. It also has the added benefit of resolving any concerns around potential non-compliance or the effectiveness of the law at an early stage.

This consultation provision is complemented by the requirement for the Welsh Ministers' report under section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, as amended by section 38 of the Bill, and the Welsh Ministers' evaluation report under section 6A of that Act, inserted by section 39 of the Bill, to be sent to the OEGW. These reports will, respectively, report on progress against the biodiversity targets and set out the Welsh Ministers' assessment of the impact and effectiveness of the proposals set out in their section 6 plan. The sending of these reports will, legally, also constitute a request for advice from the OEGW under section 13 of the Bill. The OEGW will be provided with the opportunity and the discretion to make a substantive response if it considers that necessary or not. If advice is provided by the OEGW, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to that advice. However, as with any other case in which the Welsh Ministers ask for advice from the OEGW, if the OEGW chooses not to provide advice, it must set out its reasons for not doing so.

These amendments are carefully balanced to respond to environmental NGOs' concerns, and strengthen the Bill. As such, I encourage all Members to support.

First, I support the amendments in the name of Carolyn, and just to speak to Amendment 44, that would ensure that Welsh Ministers would consult on their biodiversity plan before it is completed. This would ensure that stakeholders, including environmental groups, experts and local communities, have the opportunity to shape the way in which it's developed. Consultation is an important part of policy making, especially in an area as complex as restoring biodiversity. This would help to improve the transparency and quality of the plan, and how practical it is, perhaps, and it would strengthen the public's confidence in the approach.

Janet Finch-Saunders.

No, I've nothing more to add. Thanks.

Can I, first of all, just thank Carolyn for bringing forward these amendments—49, 50, 51? I won't add to what you've already put, but this is a good example of working in collaboration with stakeholders, environmental NGOs, but also with committee members, as this has progressed through. I think you've laid out very eloquently why this is needed and why it's again strengthening and improving the Bill. So, I would urge Members to support 49, 50 and 51.

If I could turn to Amendment 44, in the name of Delyth Jewell, there was a successful amendment that was tabled by my colleague Joyce Watson in Stage 2, which placed a duty on Welsh Ministers to apply the principles of SMNR, which I referred to earlier. They include making those appropriate arrangements for public participation and decision making when preparing the section 6 plan, and to publish a summary of the consultation undertaken and the responses received. Therefore, I don't think this broad duty to consult as laid out in amendment 44 is necessary, so that's why I won't support it. However, as stated, I do support the targeted duty to consult with the OEGW through amendment 49, which was tabled by Carolyn Thomas.

I turn to—although I don't know if it was moved; it's on the paper—amendment 22 in Janet's name. It wasn't spoken to, but it's on the paper. [Interruption.] Indeed. If I can just explain why I don't support this amendment, the purpose of section 6B is to strengthen the Welsh Ministers' section 6 plan by requiring it to set out, amongst other things, how the targets will contribute to halting and reversing the decline in biodiversity and how the Welsh Ministers intend to meet those targets. The section 6 plan is not an assessment tool. So, this amendment is outside the purpose of subsection 6B(a). But, in addition, in complying with the section 6 duty, Welsh Ministers must have regard to the latest sustainable land management report, published under the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023, which, amongst other things, will assess the cumulative progress towards achieving the sustainable land management objectives. Therefore, the framework within section 6 already provides for consideration of agricultural matters.

And if I turn briefly to amendment 23, again, I don't support this amendment, because the purpose of the evaluation report is to review the effectiveness of the policies in the Welsh Ministers' section 6 plan that are focused on maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and achieving targets aimed at contributing to halting and reversing the decline in biodiversity. So, for similar reasons that I gave in response to amendment 22, this amendment is outside the purpose of the evaluation report.

Carolyn Thomas to respond.

Move forward, thank you.

Okay. The question is that Amendment 49 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. Open the vote on amendment 49. Close the vote. In favour 46, no abstentions, two against. Therefore, amendment 49 is agreed.

Amendment 49: For: 46, Against: 2, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been agreed

Amendment 44. Is it moved? 

Amendment 44 (Delyth Jewell) moved.

Yes. Are there any objections to Amendment 44? [Objection.] Yes, there are objections. A vote, therefore. Open the vote on amendment 44. Close the vote—[Interruption.]

We didn't open the vote and, therefore, we cannot close it. 

Open the vote on Amendment 44. Close the vote. In favour 26, no abstentions, 22 against. Therefore, amendment 44 is agreed.

Amendment 44: For: 26, Against: 22, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been agreed

Amendment 44 has been agreed.

In favour 26, no abstentions, 22 against.

For the record, I think I might have pronounced gwelliant 49 incorrectly. Just for the record, therefore, Amendment 49 was passed.

Amendment 45. Is it moved?

Amendment 45 (Delyth Jewell) moved.

Yes. The question is that Amendment 45 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. Open the vote on amendment 45. Close the vote. In favour 45, no abstentions, three against. Therefore, amendment 45 is agreed.

Amendment 45: For: 45, Against: 3, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been agreed

Amendment 22.

Amendment 22. Is it being moved, Janet Finch-Saunders?

Amendment 22 (Janet Finch-Saunders) moved.

Yes, it is.

Are there any objections to Amendment 22? [Objection.] There are objections. Open the vote on amendment 22. Close the vote. In favour 12, no abstentions, 36 against. Amendment 22 is not agreed.

Amendment 22: For: 12, Against: 36, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Carolyn Thomas, is Amendment 50 being moved?

Amendment 50 (Carolyn Thomas) moved.

Yes. 

Thank you. It is. Are there any objections to Amendment 50? [Objection.] There are objections. Open the vote on amendment 50. Close the vote. In favour 45, no abstentions, three against. Therefore, amendment 50 is agreed.

Amendment 50: For: 45, Against: 3, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been agreed

Amendment 23. Is it being moved?

Amendment 23 (Janet Finch-Saunders) moved.

Yes, it is. 

Are there any objections to Amendment 23? [Objection.] There are. Open the vote on amendment 23. Close the vote. In favour 12, no abstentions, 36 against. Amendment 23 is not agreed. 

Amendment 23: For: 12, Against: 36, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Amendment 51, Carolyn Thomas. Is it moved?

Amendment 51 (Carolyn Thomas) moved.

It is. The question is that Amendment 51 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes, there is objection. We will therefore open the vote on amendment 51. Close the vote. In favour 46, no abstentions, two against. Therefore, amendment 51 is agreed. 

Amendment 51: For: 46, Against: 2, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been agreed