Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move amendment 2 in my name. I am pleased to participate in this important debate and to highlight the importance of funding from the rural development programme for our rural communities. Of course, we on this side of the Chamber agree with the first point of the motion, which calls on Welsh Government to give us clarity on funding for rural development plan projects post January 2017, and to provide a more proactive approach to the current programme. The Welsh Government must ensure that schemes and grants provided through the rural development plan are accessible to rural businesses, and that farmers also can take part easily in these schemes.

Welsh Government have made it clear that they are eager to support projects that will lead to transformational change in the way in which farms are run, rather than supporting projects that would only produce minimal improvements. But, the figures show that, under the first bidding round for the sustainable production grant scheme, out of 271 that expressed an interest, only 12 were asked to submit full bids and applications. Perhaps, in responding to this debate, the Cabinet Secretary can explain that if the Welsh Government are really looking for transformational change, why only 12 out of 271 that expressed an interest have been accepted to submit full applications. It’s essential that the Cabinet Secretary confirms that there won’t be any changes to the single payment in Wales, or any changes to payments under the rural development programme, until 2020, especially as the Chancellor of the Exchequer has given a guarantee now that European Union funding will be guaranteed until 2020.

This second point of the motion refers to the single market and the position of farmers in Wales after Brexit. Members will be aware that I voted to remain in the European Union, so, obviously, I wanted to remain in the single market, as it is essential to our economy and especially the economy of rural areas. But, we must now respect the wish of the people of Britain and the people of Wales who voted to leave the European Union. So, it is vital that the UK Government, together with the devolved administrations, discusses the very best deal with the European Union, to gain access to the single market.

The farming unions have launched their own consultations and Brexit surveys over the summer. I hope that Welsh Government is playing its role in engaging fully with the farming unions, and farmers themselves, in discussing agricultural policies. I accept that the Cabinet Secretary said recently, and I quote, that

‘a great deal of work…has taken place over the summer with the farming sector, looking at what we will do post Brexit’.

I hope that that is true. However, I am disappointed that the Cabinet Secretary has had very little engagement with the United Kingdom Government since the referendum. In response to my written question recently, the Cabinet Secretary has made it quite clear that, since the vote, she has met with the Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs only once, and that was at the Royal Welsh Show. I think that this shows a lack of interest, and a lack of priority, from Welsh Government regarding our rural communities. Considering the importance of agriculture to Wales and the massive difference the results of the EU referendum could have on Welsh farmers, I am concerned that the Cabinet Secretary hasn’t done more to engage with the United Kingdom Government.

I yield to Mark Reckless.