Rural Development Sub-committee Inquiry into the Wine, Beer and Cider Industries in Wales: Terms of Reference

Purpose

1. This paper invites Members to consider the terms of reference for the Sub-committee’s scrutiny inquiry into the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales.

Background

2. At its meeting on 1 October 2009, the Committee considered a scoping paper on options for future inquiries and agreed to consider the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales as a topic for a scrutiny inquiry.

An inquiry on the topic was included in the Sub-committee’s Work Programme for 2010 published on 30 November.

Background information on the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales is included at Annex A, and a proposed list of consultees at Annex B.

3. The following terms of reference are proposed for the inquiry:

• To assess the current situation of the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales including their economic contribution, and their potential for development and expansion in future.

• To make recommendations to the Welsh Assembly Government and any other appropriate bodies.

The inquiry will consider:

• The contribution of the wine, beer and cider industries to the agriculture, food and tourism industries in Wales;

• The opportunities for developing the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales and maximising their economic contribution;

• The opportunities provided by the wine, beer and cider industries for crop diversification and the use of locally produced basic ingredients;

• The barriers to development faced by the wine, beer and cider industries and how these can be overcome;

• The planning conditions required to facilitate development;

• The opportunities for promoting Welsh wine, beer and cider as quality products in Wales and beyond;

• The support currently available to support the set-up and expansion of businesses in the sector, including research and development support

• Whether the Welsh Government could take any further action to support the development of the wine, beer and cider industries in Wales and to maximise their contribution to the Welsh economy.

Recommendation

4. Members are invited to agree the terms of reference for their Wine, Beer and Cider Industries inquiry.