CLA calls for clarity on UK agriculture after Brexit

THE UK and Welsh governments must work together to ensure Welsh farmers gain the clarity they need to plan for the post-Brexit transition period which starts next year, says CLA Cymru.

The UK Agriculture Bill was introduced into Parliament last week.

“We’re pleased to see progress after long delay,” said CLA director Nigel Hollett. “But we need to understand how Welsh agriculture will be shaped by the devolved government in the context of this UK Bill. It’s vital that Welsh farmers’ interests are taken into account and they don’t feel disadvantaged. The UK Government in Wales and newly elected Welsh MPs have a critical role in influencing the UK Bill.”

“The progress of the UK Bill will play a critical part in determining the outcome in Wales, where we will have our own legislative process,” Mr Hollett said. “The transition period is set to begin from 2021 but the delay in the UK Agriculture Bill and a lack of clarity about the transition period means there is still much uncertainty among Welsh farmers and land managers.

“The proposals in the UK Agriculture Bill – setting out how farmers and land managers would be paid in a system of payments for public goods – have received much attention,” he added. “The Welsh Government is developing our own proposals for Sustainable Land Management which will emerge in an Agriculture (Wales) Bill.”

Farmers and land managers will gain support in a system of payments for public goods which include contribution to air and water quality, animal welfare, access to the countryside and management of flooding.

Mr Hollett said: “Government should allow proper time for rural businesses to adjust and adapt, ideally by delaying the start of the transition by 12 months. This would allow farmers to make longterm plans once the details become clearer of both the crucial trade deal and future schemes.

“We warmly welcome guarantees of funding for the lifetime of this Parliament, but farmers need to know how it affects them personally. We look forward to clarity about the profile of the transition and how the new Sustainable Land Management scheme will work in detail as a matter of urgency. We must be assured that there will be no delays in its implementation.”

The CLA is supportive of the shift towards payment for public goods, which will reward all farmers and land managers who deliver for the environment and society.