Recommendation 9

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 to supply bedding and feed. We are concerned that a reduction in yield, as a result of environmental factors, could reduce the viability of farms and, in turn, could have negative consequences for the cultural, economic and social significance of family farms in Wales. We recommend that the UK and Welsh governments work together to ensure that both governments meet their net-zero targets. (Paragraph 43) The economic and cultural impacts of trade and environmental policy on family farms in Wales 17 Future agricultural policy