Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
2nd Report - Farming in Wales in 2025: Challenges and Opportunities
Welsh Affairs Committee
HC 785
Published 12 November 2025
Recommendations
8
Rejected
Delay implementing final APR and BPR reforms pending a Wales-specific impact assessment.
Recommendation
We are disappointed that the Government has maintained a complacent approach to measuring the impact of these tax changes despite the scale of public disquiet in Wales. In the absence of a Wales-specific Impact Assessment, the UK Government must delay …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects delaying implementation for a Wales-specific impact assessment, stating it has increased the APR/BPR allowance to £2.5 million after listening to feedback and that a technical note has been published for UK-wide changes.
Wales Office
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12
Rejected
Maintain ring-fencing of agricultural funding to safeguard the future of Welsh agriculture.
Recommendation
To help safeguard the future of agriculture, we believe there is a strong case for the Welsh Government to maintain the practice of ring-fencing agricultural funding. This would provide continuity, certainty and ensure that all allocated resources are dedicated exclusively …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains that agriculture and fisheries funding is no longer ringfenced, having been added to devolved governments' baseline, and that the Welsh Government is now responsible for how to spend this funding, thus not supporting the recommendation for continued ring-fencing.
Wales Office
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18
Rejected
Publish an action plan by May 2028 supporting Welsh farms against FTA impacts
Recommendation
As the Tariff Rate Quotas progress towards a highly liberalised trade arrangement, the UK Government, in consultation with the Welsh Government and Welsh industry, should publish an action plan which sets out how farms in Wales will be supported to …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the need for an action plan, stating there is no evidence of negative impact on Welsh beef or lamb from current trade agreements, highlighting existing safeguards and its commitment to increasing export opportunities.
Wales Office
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Conclusions (1)
16
Conclusion
Rejected
The UK’s Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Australia and New Zealand will disproportionately disadvantage the agricultural sector in Wales. Beef and sheep meat make up a significantly larger share of the agricultural sector in Wales compared to England. As a result, Wales is more exposed 42 to the potential impact …
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the committee's concern, stating there is no evidence that the FTAs have impacted Welsh beef or lamb production, as quotas have not been fully utilised and imports are primarily displacing other imports. They also highlight existing safeguard mechanisms within the agreements.