Consultation launched on agricultural wages

Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans today launched a consultation to seek views on agricultural wages in Wales.

The Agricultural Wages Order 2012 has not been reviewed since it was made, meaning the industry still operates under terms and conditions set by the now abolished Agricultural Wages Board.

The consultation launched today considers whether or not a new agricultural wages order should be made in the interim period, pending the establishment of the proposed Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.

She said:

“Agriculture is an essential part of our economy and the industry is worth over £150 million to the overall Welsh economy. We are committed to ensuring that workers in the agricultural sector receive fair pay which reflects the importance of their contribution to our overall economy together with the experience and skills they possess.

“Any interim agricultural wages order would remain in force until the Panel is convened and able to propose its own agricultural wages order. I would urge everyone with an interest to engage with us on these options.”

The Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 provides for the establishment of an Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales that will fulfil the key function of reviewing wages and other terms and conditions of employment in the agricultural sector. The Deputy Minister launched a 12 week consultation on proposals for the constitution and functions of the Panel in March and the responses to that consultation will assist the Welsh Government in creating an historic independent body.

We now have a choice of either waiting until the Panel is established or introducing an agricultural wages order in advance of that. The responses to this consultation will assist us in taking a decision whether to introduce an interim agricultural wages order, and if so, in finalising its provisions.

The consultation will be open between 11 May and 3 August 2015.