A committee looking at the future of the Welsh farming sector, chaired by UKIP's Mark Reckless, says rural communities must not lose out as a result of Brexit and access to the European single market is a "critical priority" once Britain leaves.
The recommendations of the National Assembly for Wales committee report has been 'broadly welcomed' by farmers.
Mark Reckless, chairman of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, has been looking at the potential impact leaving the EU will have on the sector.
In the report Mr Reckless says: “For over four decades, the way in which agricultural produce is farmed, sold and financially supported has been decided primarily at a European level.
“Following the referendum outcome last June, Wales now has a chance to mould those policies closer to home.
“But we can only take advantage of this opportunity to reinvigorate our rural communities by ensuring that we, in Wales, do not lose out as a result of the vote to leave.
“In the shorter term we have heard clear evidence that access to the Single Market place, continuation of financial support and assurances over migrant labour are critical priorities.”
'New policy framework'
NFU Cymru President Stephen James, who provided evidence to the committee on behalf of NFU Cymru in January, said he 'broadly welcomes' the report.
He said: “I feel that the committee has correctly identified the key areas of concern for the industry with regards to leaving the EU, while also highlighting the opportunities that now exist to create a new policy framework that underpins the production of food produced to the highest standards and also rewards farmers for the full range of goods and services that we deliver for society.
“The recommendations of this cross-party National Assembly for Wales committee report shows that presently there is much common ground between politicians from all parties and the industry in Wales. This is important given the future challenges we face to achieve a fair deal on trade and the design and implementation of a new policy and regulatory framework for Welsh agriculture.”
'Quota free access'
The Committee has made 26 recommendations in total and has divided the report into two sections - Part One looking at land management and Brexit: the immediate challenges; Part Two focussing on proposals for the future of agriculture and the rural economy in Wales.
Mr James added: “The Committee has correctly picked up the main immediate challenges for us in terms of seeking tariff and quota free access to the EU Single Market for Welsh agricultural and food products, along with the need for a mutually agreed regulatory and policy framework to be put in place across the UK with funding for agriculture not subject to the Barnett formula.”
The committee also goes on to say that an ambitious and innovative 'made in Wales' policies will be critical to the future success of agriculture in Wales post-Brexit.
The committee said that farmers in Wales should be no worse off as a result of the vote to leave. By this the committee means the UK Government should commit to spending present levels of funding on agriculture in Wales.
