NSA welcomes publication of Agriculture (Wales) Bill

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is welcoming the publication of the Agriculture (Wales) Bill as being the first step in creating the new framework for farming in Wales. The Bill comes at a pivotal time in the agriculture industry and will make a start in providing some much-needed certainty for the Welsh agricultural industry.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “The Agriculture (Wales) Bill has come at a time of much needed certainty and direction within the industry. NSA is encouraged to see food production as a main pillar of the Bill but government commitments must not stop there, we need to see food and farming put at the centre of all future policy decisions, ensuring that the environment is prioritised through farming not instead of.”

This Bill will be the most important piece of agricultural legislation to be passed through the Senedd since its formation 23 years ago. The legislation aims to put sustainable food production, conserving Welsh landscape, culture and language at the forefront of policy making.

NSA Cymru/Wales Regional Development Officer Helen Roberts comments: “There is opportunity now for government to commit to enhancing and supporting farming in Wales in the most meaningful ways possible, it is an opportunity to get it right for generations to come. NSA is encouraged to see the inclusion of sustainable food production as a key priority in the Bill but there is still much work to do on the proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme including woodland creation and tenancy provisions.”

Mr Stocker continues: “Governments across the UK have a unique opportunity to get the legislation right for agriculture, to ensure we have a food secure nation with robust supply chains and opportunities for growth and prosperity for our own producers. NSA will continue to engage on the subject and would encourage any members of the farming community to do the same this can include completion of online survey on the new Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales, open until Monday 31^st October.”