LAST week made a mark in history as the first ever Agriculture Bill for Wales along with its supporting documentation was laid in front of the Senedd by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, writes FUW president Glyn Roberts.

This Bill gives us the opportunity to develop farming policies which could truly benefit those living and working in Wales.

It will set out the overarching legislation and drive the biggest change for Welsh agriculture since we joined the European Union.

Since the Brexit referendum, we have stood our ground and argued for the principles of Sustainable Land Management to be broadened to include the economic sustainability of our family farms, the sustainable production of safe traceable food, Welsh culture and our language which take full account of the Well-being of Future Generations Act goals and other Welsh objectives.

We are therefore pleased to see that the Bill sets out four Sustainable Land Management objectives which include the production of sustainable food and the sustainability of the Welsh language, each of which will be required to contribute to the well-being goals.

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However, at a glance, we believe the overarching piece of legislation is only halfway there in providing a stable footing for the future of agriculture in Wales, as many of the concerns we raised in our response to the Welsh Government’s Agriculture White Paper in March last year still firmly stand.

While the list of purposes for which support can be provided is not exhaustive and can be amended, removed and added to, it is concerning that neither the economic well-being of farming businesses nor the Welsh language are explicitly included.

We must ensure proper remuneration and living conditions for farmers and workers in agriculture and an adequate return on capital investment in the industry are included as defined objectives of the Bill.

Without such underlying principles, the other objectives of the Bill will be undermined or completely negated.

The Bill will now progress through stage one of the parliamentary process until early 2023 which will include scrutiny by the Senedd Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, followed by the amendment stage in spring before being voted on in the Plenary later next year.

Our teams will now evaluate the 500 pages of legislation, explanatory memorandum and regulatory impact assessment so that we can find the devil in the detail and continue to work with Members of the Senedd and relevant committees to ensure the Bill delivers for a thriving sustainable farming sector here in Wales.