Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales

Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig | Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee

Ymchwiliad i ddyfodol Polisïau Amaethyddol a Datblygu Gwledig yng Nghymru | Inquiry into the Future of Agricultural and Rural Development Policies in Wales

AAB 18

Ymateb gan Anhysbys

Evidence from Anonymous

1. What are the fundamental outcomes we want to see from agricultural, land management and rural development policies?

a) In the light of Brexit and likely long term cuts in public expenditure we need to promote a rural sector which will become less dependent on public subsidies. This can achieved by:

· encouraging the production and marketing of higher added value rural products

· fostering the development of better supply chains linking small land owners to markets in Wales, the rest of the UK and overseas

· developing systems of payments to land owners which reflect the environmental and social benefits derived from good management of their land e.g. water, biodiversity, tourism, recreation. The Natural Capital approach to public accounting could be relevant here. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-capital-committees-third-state-of-natural-capital-report

b)  Increasing woodland cover in line with the aspirations of Woodlands for Wales and Welsh Government targets. https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=nFE0WLWqCa_c8AeX-rOQBw&gws_rd=ssl#q=woodlands+for+wales+strategy

c) A more integrated use and management of land and rural resources broadly in line with the aspirations of NRW.

d) Consideration of alternative management arrangements for the Welsh Government Woodland Estate in order to maximise the benefits derived from the estate

2. What lessons can we learn from current and previous policies? What about polices elsewhere?

Thirty years after the removal of farming subsidies in New Zealand the country has an efficient and dynamic rural sector. Does this provide a model or lessons for Wales? http://archive.epi.yale.edu/case-study/removal-agricultural-subsidies-new-zealand

3. To what extent should Wales develop its own agricultural, land management and rural development polices or should it be part of a broader UK-wide policy and financial framework?

Devolution has resulted in distinct forestry policies and support systems across the UK reflecting the priorities of each of the four countries. This should continue. However for the forestry sector it is vital to retain cross border involvement in: forestry research, management and control of tree diseases,  climate change monitoring and accounting, Brexit negotiations on international trade in forest products and forestry standards (UK Forestry Standard) https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=6lI0WJ61LdPc8AfW-6DoBw&gws_rd=ssl#q=UK+Forest+Standard.