Item 4 on the agenda is the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (Variation of Schedule 8) (Wales) Order 2019, and I call on the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs to move the motion—Lesley Griffiths.

Motion NDM7158 Rebecca Evans

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales; in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

Approves that the draft The Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (Variation of Schedule 8) (Wales) Order 2019 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 24 September 2019.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I move the motion. The statutory instrument before you enables the Welsh Government to bring forward revisions to the legislation governing agricultural tenancies. Updating Schedule 8 to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 will bring legislation in line with modern day farming practices. Members are being asked to agree to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (Variation of Schedule 8) (Wales) Order 2019. By agreeing this revision, Welsh Government will amend and update the 1986 Act to allow the application of manure, fertiliser, soil improvers and digestate to tenanted land in Wales. It will also amend the Act to disallow the spreading of third-party manure on a tenanted holding. Making these amendments will assist biosecurity on farms by contributing to the prevention of disease transfer between holdings.

I would also like to bring to Members' notice that this SI is part of a suite of three SIs, the other two being made under negative procedure: the Agriculture (Calculation of Value for Compensation) (Revocations) (Wales) Regulations 2019 and the Agriculture (Model Clauses for Fixed Equipment) (Wales) Regulations 2019. Both have been laid in the Assembly for the statutory 21 days, with a coming into force date of 1 November 2019. Bringing the three SIs forward together will remove complexity and ambiguity for the sector. The agricultural tenancy sector makes up almost 30 per cent of land farmed in Wales, so it is essential legislation is in place to ensure these businesses can be as efficient and effective as possible.

I have no speakers for the debate. Therefore, the proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? Therefore, the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.