Key Facts

• NFU Cymru and Farmers’ Union of Wales called for adjustments to penalties, tree planting limits, and greening rules.
• The Welsh Government is consulting on simplification measures including penalties, cross-border payments, application rules, and grassland regulations.
• Schedule 5 provides limited powers for Wales compared to the broader scope for England in clause 9.
• America shows strong interest in accessing the UK market but insists on maintaining its standards without equivalence.
• Other countries are more flexible and willing to change practices to access the UK market.
• Clause 42 of the Agriculture Bill requires devolved authorities to provide information to the Secretary of State.
• A bilateral agreement exists between the UK Government and the Welsh Government regarding provisions in the previous Agriculture Bill.
• The Radcliffe review, published in 2006, recommended repatriating the red meat levy.
• The Welsh Government plans to produce a White Paper by the end of 2021.
• The Welsh Agriculture Bill is expected to be implemented early in the next Assembly term starting in May 2021.
• The government will maintain basic payment scheme approach in 2021.
• The clause amends the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
• There are about 600 cross-border farms between England and Wales.
• Some of these cross-border farms have faced significant disadvantages in receiving payments since the introduction of basic payments in 2005.
• The session is part of the examination of witness testimony for the Agriculture Bill.
• The room's acoustics are poor, requiring Gareth Morgan to project his voice louder.
• Gareth Morgan represents the Soil Association, a charity focused on sustainable food and farming.
• The UK is part of the “4 per 1000” club, aiming for a steady increase in organic matter in soils.
• Albert Howard was seen as the father of the organics movement in the 1930s.
• Agroecology incorporates practices such as mixed farming and reducing pesticide use.
• Gareth Morgan supports the inclusion of soil as part of food security in the Bill.
• The Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) aims to provide financial assistance for farmers to deliver public goods.
• Morgan is concerned about the possibility of farmers cherry-picking public goods rather than transforming their farming practices.
• The statement mentions the need for caution in over-conversion to organic farming ahead of market readiness.
• Gareth Morgan advocates for an organic maintenance payment in ELMS to reward farmers for public goods provided.
• There is a suggestion that national soil surveys could be used as part of the planning process.
• Targets have been useful in focusing the attention of policymakers.
• National targets around soils would help attract funding.
• The Soil Association already accredits organic producers under a similar model.
• Graham Stringer thanked Mr Morgan and the Committee for giving evidence.
• The Committee adjourned until later that day at Two o'clock.