Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Although agricultural policy is a devolved responsibility, we heard calls for the four governments to...
Conclusion
Although agricultural policy is a devolved responsibility, we heard calls for the four governments to ensure that they discuss changes to their respective agriculture policies. The UK Government should consult via the new Interministerial Group on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the devolved governments on potential areas for collaboration and whether there is scope for a UK wide agriculture framework which would set overarching principles. It must be clear that any such frameworks should enable nation specific policy responses. (Paragraph 50) Future of farming in Wales
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
There are arrangements in place that are working well between the UK Government (DEFRA) and the Devolved Administrations to co-operate on agricultural support issues under the Provisional Common Support Framework on Agricultural Support - the non- legislative framework for UK collaboration, coordination and cooperation on agricultural support. Officials who operate these arrangements work together closely on agricultural support issues covered by the Framework which include: • Agricultural spending and associated regulation and enforcement; • Marketing standards; • Crisis measures, Public Intervention (PI) and Private Storage Aid (PSA); • Cross border holdings (within the UK) and • Data collection and sharing. The main fora for official level discussion and decision-making are the UK Agriculture Policy Collaboration Group (PCG) and the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group (MMG). The PCG’s role is to share knowledge, information and good practice proactively between the four nations and to discuss and coordinate policy innovation and developments in relation to agricultural support schemes and wider issues of common concern that affect sustainable agriculture priorities across the UK. The MMG monitors and assesses the impact of market developments across the UK. The group meets monthly and it monitors UK agricultural markets including price, supply, inputs, trade and recent developments, enabling it to provide forewarning of any atypical market movements. During the Covid-19 pandemic this group has provided a forum for DEFRA and the devolved administrations to share the latest market and stakeholder information.