WRMI 3 - Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru

(Seasneg yn unig)

Dear Mick,

Thank you for providing the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) with an opportunity to comment on the proposed Welsh Red Meat Industry Legislative Competence Order.

Extensive consultation amongst FUW members prior to the creation of Hybu Cig Cymru in 2002 reinforced the Union’s commitment to a devolved red meat body that absorbed what were previously separate specific functions undertaken by different bodies.

Following further consultation during the 2005 Radcliffe Reviewof the agricultural and horticulturallevybodies, and the subsequent Welsh Assembly Government consultation on the same subject, members emphasised their view that HCC should be directly accountable to WAG for all levy funding raised on cattle, sheep and pigs in order to better ensure that the specific needs of the Welsh industry are addressed appropriately, while maintaining full accountability and control at a Welsh level.

The Union therefore welcomed the Welsh Levy Board Order 2008 as a temporary measure that ensured HCC was able to exercise its levy raising and promotional/development functions from the 1^st of April 2008, until the adoption of the relevant Legislative Competence Order.

It therefore follows that the FUW fully supports the general principle that legislative competence in the area identified be conferred on the Assembly.

In terms of the details of the proposed Order, the FUW notes that they effectively mirror those available to the relevant sectors in England, as laid out within the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. We therefore believe that the terms of the proposed Order are neither too narrowly nor too broadly drawn.

We are also content that the interpretations of ‘the red meat industry’, ‘cattle’, and ‘pigs’ are appropriate and that there should not be any additions or deletions.

Notwithstanding the above, and while we appreciate it is an issue that may be peripheral to the remit of the Committee, we would take this opportunity to highlight our concern that the current independence and board structure of Hybi Cig Cymru should be maintained. Under no circumstances would our membership support HCC being absorbed into the Welsh Assembly Government, as has happened with other bodies. This is particularly the case given that HCC differs significantly from other bodies in that it derives income directly from levy-payers.

I trust that the above clarifies the position of the FUW, both in terms of the Welsh Red Meat Industry LCO and the questions posed by the Proposed Welsh Red Meat Industry LCO Committee.

Yours sincerely

Nicholas Fenwick

Director of Agricultural Policy