Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - Senedd. View directions

Contact: Martha Howells 

Media

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Items
Expected timing No. Item

Transcript

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1.

Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no apologies.

Huw Irranca-Davies declared that he is Vice President of Ramblers Cymru.

 

(09.45-10.45)

2.

Inquiry into the future of agricultural and rural development policies in Wales - Funding, regulation and trade

Dai Davies, Chairman, Hybu Cig Cymru

Stephen James, President, National Farmers’ Union

Arfon Williams, Wales Environment Link

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee heard evidence on the ways in which rural enterprise can be stimulated.  They also discussed the potential effects of changes in funding and regulation on agricultural businesses and maintaining biodiversity.

Hybu Cig Cymru agreed to provide further information on the ways in which they promote meat produce from smaller, upland sheep.

(11.00-11.45)

3.

Inquiry into the future of agricultural and rural development policies in Wales - Tourism and access

Adrian Barsby, Wales Tourism Alliance

Angela Charlton, Director, Ramblers Cymru

Minutes:

The Committee heard evidence on the ways in which support for agricultural and rural businesses contributes to tourism in Wales.  They also discussed issues related to access and Ramblers Cymru agreed to provide further information on access to the countryside.

(11:45 - 12:00)

4.

Paper(s) to note

Minutes:

Members noted the papers.

4.1

Letter from Countryside Alliance on use of snares in Wales

Supporting documents:

4.2

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs to the statement on the future of agricultural and rural development in Wales

Supporting documents:

4.3

Letter from Natural Resources Wales

Supporting documents:

4.4

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs - following budget scrutiny session

Supporting documents:

4.5

A Smarter Energy Future for Wales Report - Welsh Government Response

This document is 27 pages and can be found here:

 

http://www.senedd.assembly.wales/documents/s57872/Welsh%20Government%20Response.pdf

 

4.6

Letter from Cabinet Secretary on issues arising from the work of the Committee

Supporting documents:

12:45-13:30)

5.

Inquiry into the future of agricultural and rural development policies in Wales - Forestry and the uplands

Nick Fenwick, Farmers Union of Wales

Tony Davies, Fairness for the Uplands

Martin Bishop, National Manager Wales, Confor

Frances Winder, Woodlands Trust

Minutes:

The Committee heard evidence on the opportunities and risks to uplands farms, farming in Wales, commercial forestry and the woodlands if funding support for agriculture were to change after 2019.

Confor agreed to provide further information on employment in the forestry industry.

(13:30-14.20)

6.

Inquiry into the future of agricultural and rural development policies in Wales - Rural communities

Tim Peppin, WLGA

Cllr Jamie Adams

Councillor Goronwy Edwards

Dafydd Gruffydd, Business Manager for LEADER in Anglesey and Gwynedd

 

Minutes:

The Committee heard evidence on the ways in which rural funding can maintain communities and stimulate business innovation.

7.

Motion under Standing Order 17.42 to resolve to exclude the public from the meeting for the following business:

Minutes:

The motion was agreed.