Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. For decades, the management of our land has been shaped by the European Union. This has greatly influenced the structure and performance of our agricultural sector. Brexit brings significant and swift changes. The combination of leaving the common agricultural policy and new trading arrangements mean simply maintaining the status quo is untenable.

This matters greatly to Wales. The vast majority of our land is owned and managed by farmers, foresters and environmental bodies. Farming is a vital part of our rural economy. It is the social anchor of communities and land managers are the custodians of the land that underpins our natural environment.

The case for devolution is stronger than ever. The composition of our farming sector is very different to the rest of the UK, particularly England. Our landscape is more varied, our rural communities are a much greater share of the population, and our agriculture is more integrated into the fabric of our culture, especially the Welsh language. We have a once-in-a-generation chance to redesign our policies in a manner consistent with Wales's unique integrated approach, delivering for our economy, society and natural environment.

I am grateful for the help and support of all stakeholders who have come together at my ministerial Brexit roundtable. Drawing on those discussions, I have composed five core principles for the future of our land and the people who manage it.

The first principle is we must keep land managers on the land. To produce maximum benefit, land must be actively managed by those who know it best. This is also what is best for our environment and communities. However, this does not mean land use and the people who manage it should not change over time.

My second principle is that food production remains vital for our nation. There are many good reasons for Government support, but the basic payment scheme is not the best tool for providing it. There is a significant role for Government to play in helping land managers become economically sustainable after the UK exits the European Union.

Reform is also a significant opportunity to dramatically increase the benefits the broader Welsh public can receive from our land. So, my third principle is future support will centre on the provision of public goods that deliver for all the people of Wales. The richness and diversity of the Welsh landscape means there is no paucity of public goods to procure, from clean air, to flood management, to better habitats.

Fourth, all land managers should have the opportunity to benefit from new schemes. We will not restrict our support to current recipients of CAP. However, land managers may need to do things differently in return for support. This is the only way we can ensure our land delivers greater benefits.

Finally, we need a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector in Wales, whatever the nature of Brexit. To make this a reality, we need to change the way we support farmers. We intend, therefore, to have two elements of support—one for economic activities and one for public goods production. There are clearly important links between the production of food and public goods, so the support must be complementary. Many land managers will be able to produce both, but support for food production must not undermine our natural environment.

Through my roundtable, I have launched a new phase of intensive stakeholder engagement to work collaboratively on the details of how best to deliver the five principles. These groups are providing valuable ideas that will help the Welsh Government bring forward proposals for reform. These proposals will be included in a consultation document to be published in early July. 

The reputation of Welsh produce rests on high standards, so this document will also consider the implications of reform for our regulatory framework. We have the opportunity to design a more modern, streamlined and flexible framework. This is relevant for the quality of our water, our soils, our air and our animal health. In order to deliver this support, we will need the correct legislation in place. My officials and I continue to work with DEFRA and the other UK Governments to determine how best to legislate. I am considering both a Welsh agricultural Bill and including temporary provisions for transition in the UK's planned agriculture Bill.

Leaving the European Union brings significant changes, and we must have a well-planned and multi-year transition. I learned the importance of avoiding a cliff-edge removal of subsidies during my recent trip to New Zealand. I will continue to fight to protect a full and fair allocation of funding to support land management in Wales. However, the UK Government has so far failed to provide any detail or commitment beyond 2022. I was very pleased that Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity in Scotland, joined me in writing to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to ask for further clarity on future funding. Despite this uncertainty, I want to set a clear timetable for Welsh farmers.

The basic payment scheme will continue as planned for 2018, and I can confirm today that I will also continue to operate the basic payment scheme for the 2019 scheme year. From 2020, powers will return from Europe. I then envisage a gradual and multi-year transition from existing to new schemes. By 2025, I want to have completed implementation, and I will set out further details in July and can guarantee that changes will be subject to explicit consultation.

The great challenge of Brexit is to ensure that its impact does not undermine the true value land management provides to Wales. The great opportunity is to put in place new Welsh policy to help it adjust to future market forces. I am confident our land managers can adapt, and it is this Government’s role to provide time and support.