The Agriculture (Wales) Act is key in supporting farmers and
sustainable food production for generations to come.
The main source of future Government support for farmers
in Wales underpinned by the Act will come through the proposed
Sustainable Farming Scheme. This Act provides Welsh Ministers
with the powers necessary to provide support in the future whilst
also ensuring continued support for farmers during a transition
period, reflecting the Cooperation Agreement commitment with
Plaid Cymru
It also paves the way for the banning of snares and glue
traps, with Wales becoming the first UK nation to introduce a
complete ban.
First Minister said: “This is a historic
Act. The first time ever Wales has been able to design its
own policy for farming. It comes at a crucial time for the
industry, as we shape future support and face the challenges of
higher costs and the climate emergency.
“The Act allows us to focus on the economic,
environmental, and social sustainability of the Welsh
agricultural sector. We know the main threat to sustainable
food production in the future is climate change, this Act gives
us the tools to support the industry to continue to produce food
sustainably while taking action to deal with the climate
emergency.”
Minister for Rural Affairs said: “I’m very pleased to
see the sealing of the Wales’s first Agriculture Act today.
This is truly a historic day for Welsh farmers and rural
communities.
“We are now moving ahead with delivering a system of support for
farmers designed in Wales, and which works for Wales. This
includes the Sustainable Farming Scheme which will be the main
source of support for farmers from 2025.
“There isn’t a choice between sustainable food production on our
farms and tackling climate change. Both must go hand in
hand as the climate emergency is a real threat to agriculture and
production of food. The Agriculture Act takes this into
account, ensuring sustainable land management is at the heart of
future support safeguarding the industry.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in this historic Act.”
The Act provides tenant farmers with a route to dispute
resolution to ensure they are not unfairly restricted from
accessing financial assistance.
It also alters the Forestry Act 1967 to give Natural Resources
Wales the power to add conditions to amend, suspend or revoke
felling licenses to prevent felling that would contradict other
environmental legislation.
It also replaces time limited powers in the Agriculture Act 2020
which are due to expire in December 2024.
