Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted in Part
Farming communities are vital to rural Wales and play an important role in defining and...
Recommendation
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 approach to relevant reserved policy areas can help to protect the unique cultural contribution of Welsh farming communities. For example, the UK Government could consider adding cultural impact to the impact assessment process for future trade negotiations and to the terms of reference for the work of Trade and Agriculture Commission. (Paragraph 19) Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
Government response summary AI-generated
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.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
DIT publish scoping and impact assessments at the launch and conclusion of new FTA negotiations, respectively. The purpose of these assessments are to provide Parliament and the public with information on the potential economic impacts of an agreement. These include an assessment of the economic impacts on UK’s regions and nations. We recognise the unique cultural contribution of Welsh farming communities, and DIT, along with the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales (OSSW), continue to work to ensure that cultural impacts for Wales are fully understood, including ensuring the breadth of the membership of TAC ensures that the Commission collectively has detailed knowledge of the regulatory landscape across the UK, including in Wales. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
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