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Agricultural Policy

Our agricultural enterprises are the mainstay of our rural communities. It is farmers’ painstaking work year in, year out, that gives our countryside its characteristic appearance. Over the years, the Welsh farming community has been very stable and loyal to its area, and the farming tradition is passed down from one generation to the next. However, farming nowadays requires hard-headed business decisions—decisions of the head, not the heart. In recent years, the rapid expansion of opportunities for young people to look further afield and broaden their horizons has led many to question assumptions that they will simply carry on with the family farm. If we are to reinvigorate the farming community with a younger generation, we need to make sure that support is there. Although many agricultural matters are devolved to the Welsh Government, UK policy none the less has a significant impact on our farming communities. That includes the aspects of agricultural policy that are not devolved, the wider economic policies of the UK Government, the important role of speaking up for the whole of the UK, and the role of influencing decisions at the EU level, particularly involving reform of the common agricultural policy. Committee members have paid tribute to the many fine features of and developments in the Welsh farming community, but they have also highlighted some of their serious concerns about the Government’s policies. I trust that hon. Members will forgive me if I do not remember to mention each of the points that have been made. CAP reform was discussed by many hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore, who demonstrated great expertise. That complex subject will no doubt involve long hours of negotiation, but of particular importance to Welsh farmers is the transition from historical payments to the new regime. Given that the NFU reckons that the overwhelming majority of farmers will experience a change of more than 10% from their present levels of income from the CAP, it is vital that UK Government Ministers work closely with the Welsh Government Minister, Alun Davies, and take on board the concerns of Welsh farmers. It is vital that the UK’s position at the negotiating table is not weakened or derailed by the Prime Minister seeking to play to a Eurosceptic audience. Many hon. Members on both sides of the Committee expressed dismay at the delays to the groceries code adjudicator Bill. Our 2010 Labour manifesto included a commitment on a supermarket ombudsman. Indeed, the Conservative and Lib Dem manifestos included a commitment—supposedly—to a grocery adjudicator. When can we expect to see progress? Why the delay? If there is to be a thriving farming industry in future, farmers need a fair price for their produce, as the hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire set out most eloquently, and they need a means of redress if they are being unfairly treated by supermarkets. We will need a Bill with teeth. Will the Under-Secretary confirm when the Government will introduce a Bill? Will it include meaningful sanctions that will act as a deterrent to sharp practices, and will the adjudicator have the power to launch investigations and the ability to impose fines at the outset? For many people, mention of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority is synonymous with the Morecambe bay cockle picking tragedy. We in Wales have a long tradition of cockle picking by local families, who pass the knowledge and skills down from one generation to the next. We have seen the chaos that ensues when large gangs descend upon our beaches. Opposition Members would like the Gangmasters Licensing Authority’s remit extended to cover not only the agricultural sector, but areas such as construction and the care sector. Good operators have nothing to fear from the authority; in fact, they have everything to gain, because the authority helps to create a level playing field by blowing the whistle on those who are gaining an unfair advantage on the backs of exploited workers. In the light of the Macdonald report, which went as far as suggesting the dismantling of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, I am pleased to hear that the Government are not going to abolish the authority. I was also pleased to hear the Minister of State admit during questions this morning that there could be distinct advantages if the GLA was further strengthened by giving it the power to impose civil penalties for abuses, rather than having to pursue lengthy and costly court cases. The Agricultural Wages Board has been mentioned by many hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea East. A clear case has been made for keeping the board. I will not repeat all the points that I have previously made about this, but my question to the Government is: why have they chosen to let down Welsh farmers? The FUW is clear that it wants to keep the AWB, which provides farmers with a level playing field and an easy source of reference on wages and terms and conditions for their workers. Both coalition parties have boasted how they will stand up for small businesses, but when the FUW makes a request, they ignore it. Indeed, such is the consternation of the FUW that the Welsh Government are investigating the legality of a Wales-only entity. What a disgrace this is.