The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales
Welsh Affairs Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The Welsh Affairs Committee is conducting a short inquiry to explore the impact of major policy changes (particularly, but not exclusively, international trade and climate change) on family farms in Wales. Read inquiry launch and terms of reference
8
Recommendations
6
Conclusions
1
Report
2
Oral sessions
2
Events
Activity timeline 6 events
14 Jul
2022
2022
7 Apr
2022
2022
2 Feb
2022
2022
Oral evidence
2 Feb
2022
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
24 Nov
2021
2021
Oral evidence
24 Nov
2021
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
2 Feb 2022
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
James Owen · Welsh Government
Jon Travis · Welsh Government
Julie James MS · Welsh Government
Vicky Jones · Welsh Government
24 Nov 2021
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
David Williams · Daily Mail
Dr Nick Fenwick · Farmers Union of Wales
John Davies · National Farmers Union Cymru
Professor Terry Marsden · Cardiff University
William Jones · Rural Affairs Committee, Wales YFC
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Report - The economic and cultural impacts of trade and envi… | HC 607 | 7 Apr 2022 | 14 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - The economic and cult…
Agriculture plays a significant role in the Welsh economy, employing a higher percentage of the...
Agriculture plays a significant role in the Welsh economy, employing a higher percentage of the workforce in Wales than in other parts of the UK. However, the agriculture sector in Wales is dominated by large sub-sectors such as livestock production …
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Government Response
DIT publishes scoping and impact assessments at the launch and conclusion of new FTA negotiations, including an assessment of the economic impacts on UK’s regions and nations and recognizes the unique cultural contribution of Welsh farming communities.
Wales Office
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2
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
5th Report - The economic and cult…
Farming communities are vital to rural Wales and play an important role in defining and...
Farming communities are vital to rural Wales and play an important role in defining and maintaining the distinctive culture in Wales, including sustaining the Welsh language. While language and culture are devolved responsibilities, the UK Government should consider how its …
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Government Response
The government describes the new Food and Drink Export Council and agri-food attache network, which could help protect the unique cultural contribution of Welsh farming communities. However, it does not specifically commit to adding cultural impact to the impact assessment process for future trade negotiations and to the terms of reference for the work of the Trade and Agriculture Commission.
Wales Office
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3
Recommendation
Acknowledged
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We welcome the inclusion of a member of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC)...
We welcome the inclusion of a member of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) who has experience of the agricultural landscape in Wales, along with moves to recruit new agri-food attachés, and the establishment of a new Food and …
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Government Response
DIT publishes scoping and impact assessments at the launch and conclusion of new FTA negotiations which provide analysis of the potential impacts on the nations and regions of the UK, including Wales, alongside impacts on sectors, including agriculture.
Wales Office
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4
Conclusion
Not Addressed
5th Report - The economic and cult…
As we concluded in our report on the implications for Wales of the UK/Australia FTA,...
As we concluded in our report on the implications for Wales of the UK/Australia FTA, we are acutely aware of the concerns held by Welsh farmers of the potential competitive threat posed by FTAs. However, while it is far from …
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Government Response
The response discusses the UK Woodland Carbon Code, Peatland Code, and Land Carbon Registry, as well as land ownership transparency, but does not address the committee's concerns about the impact of FTAs on Welsh agriculture or negotiating tactics that could disproportionately impact Wales.
Wales Office
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5
Recommendation
Deferred
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We have previously recommended that the UK Government should publish a Wales- specific impact assessment...
We have previously recommended that the UK Government should publish a Wales- specific impact assessment for FTAs. While this recommendation was previously rejected by the UK Government, we believe that a Welsh impact assessment continues to command substantial support from …
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Government Response
The response discusses climate change and agricultural emissions, joint efforts with the Welsh government, and the Inter-Ministerial Group, but doesn't address the specific request for a Wales-specific impact assessment or a statement on the impact of FTAs on the agricultural sector in Wales, which redirects the recommendation to a general climate change policy discussion.
Wales Office
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6
Conclusion
Acknowledged
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We recognise the importance of increasing woodland to tackle the climate emergency.
We recognise the importance of increasing woodland to tackle the climate emergency. However, there are unintended consequences emerging as a result of planting too many trees, of the wrong type, in the wrong place. The move to net zero also …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the concerns regarding companies buying Welsh farmland for tree planting and describes arrangements for cooperation between the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations on agricultural support issues. They mention the UK Agriculture Policy Collaboration Group (PCG) and the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (MMG).
Wales Office
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7
Conclusion
Deferred
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We oppose any attempts to ‘game the system’ by investing in viable farming land purely...
We oppose any attempts to ‘game the system’ by investing in viable farming land purely in order to offset carbon emissions accrued by companies elsewhere. Tree planting schemes are an important pillar in attempts to preserve our natural environment for …
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Government Response
The government's response discusses attracting new talent into food and farming and a new entrant scheme in England, and sharing information with the Welsh Government, but does not address the original conclusion regarding 'gaming the system' by investing in viable farming land to offset carbon emissions.
Wales Office
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8
Recommendation
Deferred
5th Report - The economic and cult…
While we acknowledge and respect the fact that environmental and planning policy are devolved competencies,...
While we acknowledge and respect the fact that environmental and planning policy are devolved competencies, we strongly encourage the Welsh Government to reassess whether it currently has sufficiently strong safeguards in place for its tree planting schemes. In particular, we …
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Government Response
The government's response discusses the Lump Sum Exit Scheme for farmers in England and sharing information with the Welsh Government, but does not address the original recommendation regarding safeguards for tree planting schemes or improving transparency and regulation of carbon offset schemes in Wales.
Wales Office
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9
Recommendation
Acknowledged
5th Report - The economic and cult…
Climate change is already having a clear impact on farming.
Climate change is already having a clear impact on farming. Changing weather patterns alter the farming environment and create greater instability. Wetter weather will increase challenges to livestock production with increased flooding of fields potentially reducing the crop production used …
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Government Response
The Government recognises the challenge of climate change and the need for swift action, mentioning working closely with the Welsh Government and other Devolved Administrations through established governance arrangements to ensure a joined-up and collaborative approach to delivering net zero via the Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-Ministerial Group.
Wales Office
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10
Conclusion
Accepted
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We recognise the vital role that farmers play in food production and acknowledge the desire...
We recognise the vital role that farmers play in food production and acknowledge the desire of UK and Welsh governments to move to a system of funding for public goods. However, we are concerned about the impact that transitioning from …
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Government Response
The government states that arrangements are already in place between the UK Government (DEFRA) and the Devolved Administrations to co-operate on agricultural support issues under the Provisional Common Support Framework on Agricultural Support.
Wales Office
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11
Recommendation
Accepted
5th Report - The economic and cult…
Although agricultural policy is a devolved responsibility, we heard calls for the four governments to...
Although agricultural policy is a devolved responsibility, we heard calls for the four governments to ensure that they discuss changes to their respective agriculture policies. The UK Government should consult via the new Interministerial Group on Environment, Food and Rural …
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Government Response
The government states that arrangements are already in place between the UK Government (DEFRA) and the Devolved Administrations to co-operate on agricultural support issues under the Provisional Common Support Framework on Agricultural Support.
Wales Office
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12
Conclusion
5th Report - The economic and cult…
Farming is economically, socially and culturally important in Wales.
Farming is economically, socially and culturally important in Wales. We recognise and endorse the vision of a future where the natural environment is cared for, prime agricultural land is cultivated effectively and appropriately, and where the next generation has a …
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Wales Office
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13
Recommendation
Accepted
5th Report - The economic and cult…
The future of farming in Wales depends on the viability of career options for younger...
The future of farming in Wales depends on the viability of career options for younger generations to come through. We call on the UK and Welsh governments to work closely together to support and encourage new entrants; for example, respecting …
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Government Response
The Government will provide funding to create lasting opportunities for new entrants in England to access land, infrastructure and support to establish successful and innovative businesses. The UK Government will share information about the operation of the scheme with the Welsh Government as the scheme progresses.
Wales Office
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14
Recommendation
Accepted
5th Report - The economic and cult…
We are aware of the importance of succession for family farms.
We are aware of the importance of succession for family farms. One challenge for new entrants into the farming industry is the lack of opportunities available for older farmers to step aside and plan for their succession. We recommend that …
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Government Response
The UK Government has launched a Lump Sum Exit Scheme for farmers in England, which could help farmers leave the industry and open up opportunities for new entrants. They will share information about the operation of the scheme with the Welsh Government as the scheme progresses.
Wales Office
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