The bill, which was published in draft on Monday 26 September 2022, is the piece of primary legislation that will establish the framework for future agricultural policy and will define farming in Wales for a generation or more.
'Most important piece of legislation'
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “For the first time in our history this bill will give Wales the opportunity to implement its own food and farming policy, made in Wales for the people of Wales.
"In terms of its potential impact on Welsh farmers, this bill is the most important piece of legislation that we have seen since the Westminster 1947 Agriculture Act.
Food affordability
“It comes at a pivotal time for society with the importance and fragility of food affordability and security, both at home and abroad, being brought into sharp focus by the effects of the devastating conflict in Ukraine. It is clear that the disruption to food output, supply chains, availability and affordability of food could last for many years. This is why the bill, as a key objective, must underpin the production of a stable supply of safe, high quality, affordable food in Wales.”
Shaping Welsh Farming's Future
NFU Cymru, through its Shaping Welsh Farming’s Future policy document published earlier this year, set out the policy framework that the Agriculture (Wales) Bill must seek to establish, this should:
- Secure the production of high quality, affordable food for all in society by enhancing our ability to produce food for the nation
- Improve on-farm productivity promoting the sustainable growth of the Welsh food and drink sector – Wales’ biggest employer
- Underpin the financial resilience of our family farms and, in so doing, sustaining our rural communities, language, culture and heritage
- Maintain and enhance nature and our environment while also supporting the delivery of our vision to reach net zero agriculture by 2040.
'Grow and thrive'
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “There is no doubt in my mind that with an enabling policy framework, the £8.5 billion Welsh food and farming sector can continue to grow and thrive thanks to the role Welsh farmers play in producing climate friendly food in an environment and landscape that sees our nature thriving.
“Through the introduction of this bill we are pleased that Welsh Government recognises the importance of agriculture to Wales.
"Over the coming weeks and months, we will take our time to study the bill in detail to see how it matches our policy priorities. As part of that process, we look forward to working with MSs and the relevant committees of the Senedd, assisting them in their scrutiny of the bill, and helping to ensure that the bill does indeed establish a framework for a thriving agricultural sector.”
