Agriculture and Government: An Overview FUW Annual General Meeting Aberystwyth 16 th June 2014...
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Transcript of Agriculture and Government: An Overview FUW Annual General Meeting Aberystwyth 16 th June 2014...
Agriculture and Government: Agriculture and Government: An OverviewAn Overview
FUW Annual General MeetingAberystwyth16th June 2014
Gareth JonesDirector GeneralSustainable Futures
Derek JonesPermanent Secretary
Derek JonesPermanent Secretary
Gareth JonesDirector General
Sustainable Futures
Gareth JonesDirector General
Sustainable Futures
Dean Medcraft
SF Operations
Dean Medcraft
SF Operations
John HowellsHousing &
Regeneration
John HowellsHousing &
Regeneration
Huw BrodieCulture &
Sport
Huw BrodieCulture &
Sport
Christianne GlossopOCVO
Christianne GlossopOCVO
Matthew Quinn
Environment
Matthew Quinn
Environment
Andrew Slade Agriculture,
Food & Marine
Andrew Slade Agriculture,
Food & Marine
Alun DaviesMinister for Natural
Resources and Food
Alun DaviesMinister for Natural
Resources and Food
John GriffithsMinister for Culture
and Sport
John GriffithsMinister for Culture
and Sport
Carl SargentMinister for Housing and Regeneration
Carl SargentMinister for Housing and Regeneration
Big picture contextBig picture context
Global – 11bn people by 2100, pressure on natural resources (esp energy and water), climate change, Southern Hemisphere getting wealthier, territorial instability, technological change
EU – new programme period (CAP and investment funds), new Commission and Parliament, further enlargement, budget cuts, UK in/out?, EU reform?
UK – economy picking up, depressed public finances (at least till early-2020s), Scottish independence referendum (new constitutional settlement?), 2015 General Election
Wales – Silk I & II, Williams Review, tightening budgets, and pressure on key services (health, care, education), Assembly Election (2016)
Wales and the EUWales and the EU
Wales is net beneficiary from EU in funding terms, and benefits significantly from the Single Market – effective engagement is vital to our interests
On key policy areas (CAP and investment funding) we already have a strong voice in EU discussions, both through the UK and directly; we are developing influence in other areas too (eg environment and science/innovation), and building links with the European Investment Bank
New arrangements give European Parliament far more say in direction of EU; Welsh Government has worked well with Welsh MEPS on range of issues
Recent EP elections demonstrated a desire – not just across the UK – to see reform in how the EU works (but note, despite headlines, balance of power in the Parliament remains with the main centre-right and centre-left parties)
EU’s ‘Europe 2020’ strategy – achieving smart, sustainable, inclusive growth – aligns closely with Welsh Government priorities
Welsh Government: top Welsh Government: top prioritiespriorities
Economy – growth and jobs
Education – improving attainment
Supporting children and families – tackling poverty, addressing the chronic problem of workless households
Health and health services – improving outcomes
Comprehensive Programme for Government
Natural Resources and Food Natural Resources and Food Department – key principlesDepartment – key principles
Pursuing ‘green growth’
Increasing the resilience of businesses and communities
Improving resource efficiency
Tackling poverty
In the context of farming, looking towards: a confident, resilient and profitable Welsh agriculture that protects and enhances our natural resources, is achieving sustainable growth, and supports vibrant rural communities
Welsh agriculture and food Welsh agriculture and food & drink – some statistics& drink – some statistics
1.8m ha agricultural area
58,000 people directly or indirectly employed on-farm
Annual EU CAP income (Pillars 1 and 2) c £400m
28% of UK sheep flock
Over 75% of agricultural land in upland areas
£1.3 bn GVA from agriculture in Wales
£4 bn GVA from food supply chain
170,000 jobs in the supply chain
92% of total food and drink exports are to EU destinations
Exports increased by 113% between 1999 and 2013 (to £280m)
Pluses and minusesPluses and minuses
Excellence and expertise in agriculture
Abundance of temperate grassland (and water…)
Great potential/resource for renewable energy
Beautiful landscape – and a strong food and drink identity linked to it
Strong cultural ties to agriculture and food across the country
Heavy dependence on CAP subsidy
Wide gaps in technical and business performance within and between sectors
Decline in some of our natural resources
Some key habitats under significant pressure
Peripherality and infrastructure – edge of UK and of the EU
Minister’s vision for the Minister’s vision for the futurefuture
Modern, business-focussed, and profitable farms at the heart of rural communities
More use of R&D and technological improvement, more emphasis on learning from the best in class – continuous professional development
Stronger supply chain thinking – focussed on market development at home and abroad
More formal and informal cooperation between farmers
More efficient and effective use of our natural resources – and better natural resource management planning
A dynamic industry – with more movement in, through and out from the sector
A real partnership – industry and government – to deliver for Wales plc: and a more forward-looking relationship
Government support for Government support for change in agriculturechange in agriculture
CAP reform – direct payments and major investment through the new RDP
Better regulation, guidance and enforcement
Strengthened extension and advisory services
Broader ‘Working Smarter’ approach – inc more on-line channels for service delivery (eg RPW Online)
Investing in our agricultural infrastructure – R&D, universities and colleges, veterinary/scientific provision, HCC
Using influence at home and abroad to develop markets – inc export development, and market returns for environmental services
Developing new approaches to natural resource management, working with river catchments and whole ecosystems
Helping facilitate and join things up (‘convening power’) across Wales
Welsh Government policy Welsh Government policy aims for the reformed CAPaims for the reformed CAP
In line with the Programme for Government:
Pillar 1 – support for farming communities (balancing the interests of past CAP recipients and new ones, and the needs of hard-pressed areas with the competitiveness of our most productive areas) *
- but we also know the CAP is getting smaller and we are too reliant on EU subsidy, so
Pillar 2 – underpinning the change process (investing in the future of our agricultural industry & rural communities, helping Welsh farming meet the challenges/opportunities ahead, strengthening supply chains, & ensuring a more integrated approach with the natural environment) *
* = must be deliverable and efficient to administer…
The new Rural Development The new Rural Development Programme (RDP) – ’15-’20Programme (RDP) – ’15-’20
Biggest and most ambitious Programme in Wales’ history – nearly £1bn to invest in the future of our rural areas
£300m from EU, £244m from Pillar 1 transfer & over £400m coming from Welsh Government (at a time of severe &increasing pressures on public expenditure)
Major consultation process undertaken, aimed at developing a joined-up, simplified and streamlined Programme, with investments that meet multiple economic, environmental and social objectives
Key aim is to improve the competitiveness and resilience of Welsh agriculture and improve farming’s use of our natural resources
Significant investments in skills and knowledge, business development, physical capital, land-based measures, and local economic development
Minister announcing new approach to Glastir in the Assembly this week; announcement on wider RDP to follow next month
The new Rural Development The new Rural Development Programme – initial Programme – initial proposed allocations of proposed allocations of funding (£ million)funding (£ million)
Looking ahead – coming Looking ahead – coming monthsmonths
Developing a new Future Agriculture programme – together in partnership with the industry
Confirming remaining CAP reform detail - and then implementation
Creating the detailed investment measures within the new RDP, and new supporting delivery mechanisms for the Programme
Implementing the new Strategic Action Plan for Food and Drink (30% increase in turnover targeted by 2020)
Preparing the new Environment Bill
Taking forward the new Animal Health and Welfare Strategy framework
Work on EID and On-line services, and carry forward other Working Smarter actions (inc 6 day standstill quarantine proposals)
Any questions..?
Gareth JonesDirector GeneralSustainable Futures