Government response – The Basic Payment Scheme (Tapering, Payment Entitlements and Closure) (Wales) Regulations 2025

Technical scrutiny point 1:                      The Welsh Government acknowledge the point raised.  Following further consideration, we agree that Article 26 has already been revoked in relation to Wales.  However, as Article 26 has already been revoked the provision has no legal effect and therefore, we will not be seeking to amend it at this stage but will do so when a suitable opportunity arises.   

Technical scrutiny point 2:                      The Welsh Government acknowledge the point raised.  However, it makes no substantive difference to the operation of the provision and does not create any ambiguity for the reader. 

Technical scrutiny point 3:                      The Welsh Government acknowledge the point raised.  The omission of the provisions relating to the national and regional reserves reflects the policy decision to close these reserves as part of the transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme.  Those omissions mean that the remaining provisions referred to in the report have no practical ongoing legal effect. 

Merit scrutiny point 4:                              The consultation ran from late 2023 to early 2024 and included views on transition principles. Farming unions and other organisations generally acknowledged the need for a managed, gradual transition from the Basic Payment Scheme in their comments. In contrast, individual farmers expressed fears for those unable to adapt, which explains the intensity of opposition. The term “broadly supported” in the EM reflects this qualitative feedback from key organisations on transition principles.