Operation and Effectiveness of the Agricultural Sector Act (Wales) 2014

Background

The Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 Act was designed to support agricultural farm businesses in Wales. The Act included the establishment of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales, and the introduction of Agricultural Wages Orders.

The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales is an independent advisory body to Welsh Government whose remit is to promote careers in agriculture, to propose agricultural wages orders and submit them to the Welsh Ministers.

By setting fair minimum wage rates for agricultural workers, according to the level of their responsibilities and skills-sets of the workers, the Act aims to support the long term development of the agriculture sector.

The Act contains a “sunset clause”, which means that the Act ceases to have effect after 30 July 2018, if not preserved. The Act requires the Welsh Ministers prepare a report on the effectiveness of the Act for the NAW after the review period. The review period closes on 30 July 2018.

Panel work

The Panel has established a Skills Development and Training (SDT) sub-committee to advise on matters relating to skills development, training opportunities and career progression. It has members from the farming unions, the YFC, Lantra, academics and independent members.

The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2016 has set out employment conditions and agriculture-related benefits, including information on overtime rates ,remuneration for children of school age, apprentices, entry to a grade, travelling, training ,bad weather, housing, dog and on-call allowances, night work supplement, agricultural sick pay, rest breaks, holiday leave and pay, and bereavement leave.

The consultation document includes information on the numbers of people employed in agriculture from 2008 to 2015, and an annex which offers guidance on the classification of a worker into six grades based on qualifications, in-work responsibility and their experience in agriculture.

The consultation contains nine questions (attached) asking for responses on which work areas the Agricultural Panel should focus on, timescale, effectiveness of the Skills Development & Training sub-committee, establishment of new sub-committees, rates of pay, agricultural minimum wage, sharing of best practice within the UK, and the preservation of the Act.

The consultation document can be found by clicking here.

The consultation opens closes on 4th September 2017.