Recommendation 25

The UK Government needs to take specific account of the unique cultural, environmental and economic circumstances of farming in Wales when making future policy decisions which have direct implications for the agricultural sector in Wales. We recommend that any future policy decisions directly affecting the farming sector in Wales be accompanied by a Wales- specific impact assessment led by the Wales Office and undertaken in conjunction with the Government department leading the relevant policy 44 change. This would ensure that the distinct characteristics and challenges of Welsh farming, particularly in comparison to England, are properly considered and not overlooked. A failure to account for the unique role farming plays in Wales, risks undermining the viability of rural farming communities, the Welsh language, and the future of farming in Wales. (Recommendation, Paragraph 122) 45