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Agricultural Policy

I am not saying that there is no need whatever this year to consider the AWB’s whole remit or that it should not undergo an element of reform. However, if farmers and farming organisations in Wales and elsewhere—although we are on a losing battle in England—are powerfully arguing that they see the necessity of the AWB, I would argue that it is something that should be retained. It has a purpose in this century. The hon. Gentleman’s point on pay levels is interesting, but I am frequently told by farmers in Wales and elsewhere that they go well beyond those limits. In terms of not simply pay, but other entitlements, including annual leave and so on, at least the AWB provides a base level, which can be built upwards from. It is a brave person who says, at this time in the economy, to the agricultural sector, ““We are so confident that things are going fine that—don’t worry—we will take this backstop away.””