Research starts into agrii law in Wales

THE Law Commission has launched a new project, beginning their preliminary research into agricultural law in

Wales.

The Welsh Government has asked the Law Commission to review agricultural law in Wales and consider how it could be brought together under a code of law.

The aim of any such code would be to simplify and modernise the law and to improve its accessibility.

The scope of the project will not, however, extend to policy reform or review the substance of agricultural policy in Wales.

The law which governs the agricultural sector in Wales is spread across a patchwork of legislation, which makes the law difficult to access and in places, hard to understand.

Agriculture is a devolved area of law in Wales meaning the power to make legislation governing the Welsh agricultural sector rests with the Welsh Parliament.

However, this hasn’t always been the case and agricultural law in Wales comes from different law-making bodies; namely the UK Parliament and the Senedd Cymru.

In addition, some of the agricultural law enacted by the European Union while the United Kingdom was a member of the EU has been incorporated into the national law which applies to Wales.

Agricultural law in Wales may therefore contain provisions which apply to Wales only, to England only, or to both England and Wales.

This project is currently in the scoping stage. Professor Alison Young, Public Law and Wales Commissioner said: “I am pleased we are going to be looking into the possible contents of a code of agricultural law in

Wales.

“This is an important area of law for Wales, where 90% of Wales’ total land area is used for agriculture.

“I look forward to bringing our findings and recommendations to the Welsh Government, potentially leading to further reform, including full public consultations, in the future.”