Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
3
Conclusion
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
We support the objective of reforming Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) to close the loophole that encouraged wealthy investors to purchase agricultural land as a means of avoiding tax. (Conclusion, Paragraph 49)
Government response AI summary
The government details its announced reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, effective from April 2026, including an increase in the 100% relief allowance from £1 million to £2.5 million to protect more farms and businesses.
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Wales Office
10
Conclusion
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
It is a fundamental principle of devolution that decisions affecting Wales should be made in Wales and that the Welsh Government should have autonomy over its budget, without ring-fencing imposed by the UK Government. (Conclusion, Paragraph 66)
Government response AI summary
The government confirms that agriculture and fisheries funding is no longer ringfenced and devolved governments, including Wales, now have autonomy to decide how to spend this funding from 2025-26.
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Wales Office
14
Conclusion
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
We welcome the foundational agreement between the UK and EU to establish a common Sanitary/Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) zone. However, we are concerned about the lack of a clear timeline for when an SPS zone will be established. (Conclusion, Paragraph 80)
Government response AI summary
The government states negotiations for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement with the EU have commenced and aims to conclude discussions and have legislative arrangements in place no later than 2027.
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Wales Office
17
Recommendation
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
We are concerned that Free Trade Agreements have been entered into in the full knowledge that Wales’ agricultural industry may be negatively impacted. The Government must ensure that FTAs do not act as a ‘Trojan Horse’ that, overtime, will undermine the viability of farming in Wales. Although Australia and New …
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We are concerned that Free Trade Agreements have been entered into in the full knowledge that Wales’ agricultural industry may be negatively impacted. The Government must ensure that FTAs do not act as a ‘Trojan Horse’ that, overtime, will undermine the viability of farming in Wales. Although Australia and New Zealand do not make full use of their existing Tariff Rate Quotas, there is no room for complacency here given the extent of the challenge increased international competition will pose to the industry in Wales. (Conclusion, Paragraph 90)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it carefully monitors trade data and sees no evidence that FTAs with Australia and New Zealand have negatively impacted Welsh beef or lamb production, as imports are primarily displacing EU imports. It highlights existing safeguards within the agreements.
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Wales Office
19
Conclusion
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
We are concerned about the perceived disparity in production standards and the levels of financial support received by farmers in countries that the UK Government is negotiating trade agreements with. We are also concerned that lower-cost imports produced to less stringent standards could enter the UK market at prices below …
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We are concerned about the perceived disparity in production standards and the levels of financial support received by farmers in countries that the UK Government is negotiating trade agreements with. We are also concerned that lower-cost imports produced to less stringent standards could enter the UK market at prices below the cost of domestic production in Wales, potentially undermining the competitiveness and long-term viability of Welsh farming. (Conclusion, Paragraph 96)
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Government response AI summary
The government states it carefully monitors trade data and has found no evidence that trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand have negatively impacted Welsh beef or lamb production, with imports mainly displacing EU products. It highlights existing safeguards within the agreements.
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Wales Office
24
Conclusion
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: …
Accepted
Farming practices and conditions in Wales differ significantly from those in England, and it is essential that these differences are fully understood by policy makers in Westminster. In its discussions with the UK Government, it is incumbent upon the Welsh Government to make the case for Welsh farming, but it …
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Farming practices and conditions in Wales differ significantly from those in England, and it is essential that these differences are fully understood by policy makers in Westminster. In its discussions with the UK Government, it is incumbent upon the Welsh Government to make the case for Welsh farming, but it is essential that the Wales Office works to ensure that the needs of Welsh farming are accounted for in Whitehall as part of UK-wide policy development. Our report plainly shows that in this endeavour the Wales Office under successive Governments has not been as successful as it needs to be to build confidence among farmers in Wales. (Conclusion, Paragraph 121)
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Government response AI summary
The government states that the Wales Office already supports UK Government departments in designing policies that reflect Wales' needs and works with them to assess policy impact in the agricultural sector.
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Wales Office