Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:47 pm on 23 June 2021.

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Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru 2:47, 23 June 2021

(Translated)

—in Welsh: clearly, the main focus of the work of Government and the Senedd over the next few years in relation to rural issues will be the introduction of a new agriculture Bill for Wales. The multiple challenges facing rural areas in Wales and the agricultural sector mean that we need to draw a new context for agriculture in Wales and to ensure a far more prosperous future for farming. That has to happen in a way that provides resilience for our family farms and that should be at the heart of the regeneration of the industry. And I'm sure you would agree that we as a Senedd must support Welsh farmers in their aim of being one of the most environmentally sustainable agricultural sectors in the world. But we must also recognise that in order for those farms to be environmentally sustainable, they must also be economically viable and sustainable. Therefore, with the need for time to develop, pilot, model and assess the appropriate impact of the contribution of your proposed plans for the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales, does the Minister agree that the basic payment should be safeguarded at current levels—particularly in the context of post-COVID recovery and damaging trade policies imposed by the UK Government, as we've heard mention of already—in order to promote greater economic stability for the industry during this challenging time?