Environment and Sustainability Committee

E&S(4)-05-11 paper 5

Environment and Sustainability Committee: Common Agricultural Policy Task and Finish Group

Inquiry into Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

Background

In July 2010, the Rural Development Sub-committee of the Third Assembly published its report into the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), from an inquiry which gathered the views of stakeholders in Wales on the future direction of CAP reform and the outcomes that would deliver greatest benefit to Wales. Rather than being an end point, the report was intended to be the first stage in an on-going discussion by the Assembly and its stakeholders on likely impacts of the CAP reform process on Wales.

The CAP is of significant importance to Wales. Under Pillar 1 of the CAP Wales receives approximately €330 million on an annual basis and under Pillar 2 received €367.7 million for the Wales Rural Development Programme for the period 2007-2013. The Environment and Sustainability Committee therefore decided to continue the dialogue with stakeholders in Wales on the reform process by establishing a Task and Finish Group on the CAP. The aim of the Task and Finish Group is to gather the views of stakeholders in Wales on the Commission’s detailed reform proposals, to make recommendations to the Welsh Government on its negotiation priorities and to contribute towards ensuring that views from Wales inform the negotiation process in Europe.

It is widely accepted that the debate on the reform of CAP will be influenced by discussion on other key European policies such as those on the future of the EU Budget and Structural Funds. The CAP Task and Finish Group will therefore take account of these discussions in reaching its conclusions and will seek to coordinate its work with other Assembly Committees undertaking scrutiny of these policy areas.

Terms of Reference

¡ To assess the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposals for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy on Wales, including its implications for relevant Welsh Government policies

¡ To consider what outcomes would be most beneficial to Wales.

¡ To make recommendations to the Welsh Government on what it should prioritise in its negotiations on the reform process.

¡ To act as a forum for stakeholders in Wales to engage with the debate on the future of the policy.

¡ To influence the wider debate on CAP Reform, the Task and Finish Group will seek to share its conclusions with UK parliamentary bodies, the European Commission and the European Parliament and with other relevant European bodies such as the Committee of the Regions.

The inquiry will consider:

¡ What the European Commission’s proposals could mean for Wales?

¡ What should the Welsh Government’s priorities be in its negotiations on CAP Reform to ensure a beneficial outcome for Wales?

¡ How can Wales ensure that its views inform the negotiation process?

Suggested list of consultees

¡ National Farmers Union Cymru (NFU)

¡ Farmer’s Union of Wales (FUW)

¡ Young Farmers

¡ Future Farmers of Wales

¡ Country, Land & Business Association (CLA)

¡ National Sheep Association

¡ Association of Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers

¡ Hybu Cig Cymru

¡ Countryside Council Wales (CCW)

¡ Environment Agency Wales (EAW)

¡ Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)

¡ National Trust

¡ Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

¡ Welsh Association of National Parks

¡ National Association of AONBs

¡ Wales Environment Link

¡ The Church in Wales

¡ FWAG

¡ The Crown Estate

¡ The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers

¡ Tenant Farmers Association

¡ Small Farms Association

¡ British Pig Association

¡ The Soil Association

¡ Organic Centre Wales