Sut y mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn bwriadu sicrhau bod cadwraeth yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i'r parciau cenedlaethol ac Ardaloedd o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol yn y dyfodol, ac a yw hi'n rhagweld unrhyw wrthdaro buddiannau rhwng cynnal yr egwyddor Sandford a'r cynigion a amlinellir yn y Papur Gwyn, 'Bwrw ymlaen â rheoli adnoddau naturiol Cymru yn gynaliadwy'?
Conservation is a priority concern for the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), alongside other priorities which support their purposes to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area. In the case of National Parks, this includes the area's wildlife and cultural heritage, and promoting the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities.
Wales has an ambitious and innovative legislative framework to seek to address the decline in the resilience of ecosystems and associated biodiversity. In addition to their core purposes National Park Authorities and the constituent local authorities of AONBs have a duty, under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, to maintain and enhance biodiversity and promote the resilience of ecosystems. The recently published Natural Resources Policy sums up the challenges faced in Wales and will help the authorities discharge their responsibilities for nature. I will also continue to support conservation as a priority in these areas through my annual strategic grant letter for the National Park Authorities.
Taking Forward Wales' Sustainable Management of Natural Resources seeks views on whether there is a case for aligning the purposes of Areas of Outstanding Beauty and National Parks with the sustainable management of natural resources. The rationale and relationship to the Sandford Principle, as codified in Section 62 of the Environment Act 1995, is clearly set out from page 30 of the consultation document. I will be considering the responses to the consultation once it closes, but I have no intention of proposing any changes which would threaten the natural beauty and special qualities of these areas.