Can I commend the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee for deciding to look at the future of agricultural and rural policies in Wales as one of its first inquiries? Of course, agriculture is the backbone of the rural economy and makes an enormous contribution to the Welsh economy as a whole. It’s essential, therefore, that these policies are examined especially in the light of Brexit. However, whilst it’s important that the Assembly scrutinises agricultural and rural policies, I’d like to understand a little bit more about the sheer scope of this inquiry and therefore the realistic outcomes we can expect throughout this process. So, perhaps the committee Chair can tell us more about the scope of this inquiry in his response here this afternoon.

Now, I’m sure that the Chair will agree with me that different policies require greater time commitments, given that some are more heavily embedded or are even reliant on EU legislation than others. So, can he tell us if there will be any flexibility in the committee’s timetabling to add additional meetings so that all aspects of the inquiry are fully discussed?

Of course, it’s important that the committee does all that it can to encourage stakeholders and rural communities to be involved in any inquiry, and I’m pleased that a workshop and a committee visit has already taken place, as he mentioned in his statement earlier on.

I understand that the consultation on this inquiry, which has already been issued, will end on 25 November, so can the committee Chair confirm how the committee will then respond to the replies received? Understandably, given the wide-ranging nature of this inquiry, how will it deal with important separate rural policy topics that it could receive as a result of this particular inquiry? Of course, within the agricultural brief alone, there’s enough policy scrutiny work to last this committee for a long time. So, it’s important that stakeholders are fully aware of each step of the committee’s inquiry process.

Members who’ve been here for some time will remember the Rural Development Sub-committee of the third Assembly, which was a permanent sub-committee to consider matters relevant to rural development and rural policies. Can the Chair tell us what his assessment of that committee was and has the current committee had any discussions regarding the possibility of resurrecting a similar sub-committee to look at rural development and rural policies on an ongoing basis, rather than just a one-off inquiry?

I very much agree with the committee’s view that while it may be advantageous to have, by mutual consent, a UK-wide framework for agriculture and rural development, and for environmental regulations as well, the committee must ensure that principal policy responsibly in these areas are repatriated to Wales from Brussels. I’m pleased to note from today’s statement that the committee will also press Governments at all levels to make sure that agriculture, rural affairs and the environment remain financial priorities, because, clearly, these are the areas that will be most tested as we exit the EU.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m very pleased to see that rural affairs and agricultural policy will be further scrutinised at an Assembly committee level. We are facing a time when a number of important decisions will need to be made in relation to Welsh agriculture and there will be a profound impact on rural Wales. We on this side of the Chamber welcome the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry into agriculture and rural policies, post Brexit. It’s vital that we involve all stakeholders in discussing ways to make our rural communities more prosperous and resilient in the months and years ahead.

So, can I thank the Chair of the committee for his statement today? I look forward to seeing this inquiry’s progress over the coming weeks. Thank you.