Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

Terms of Reference

Purpose

This paper sets out the terms of reference for the Sub-committee’s scrutiny inquiry into Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, as agreed at its meeting on 4 March 2010.

Background

Background information on the Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is set out in the accompanying scoping paper at Annex A.

Terms of Reference

The following terms of reference are proposed for the inquiry:

• To assess the possible impact of reform of the CAP on Wales, and what outcomes would be most beneficial to Wales.

• To make recommendations to the Welsh Assembly Government regarding which policies it should advocate during the negotiation process.

• To influence the debate on CAP reform within the European institutions.

The inquiry will consider:

• What should the Welsh Government’s priorities be in its negotiations on CAP reform;

• What should the balance be between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP;

• What should the CAP’s central objectives be post 2013;

• To what extent should the CAP be a community policy and whether some renationalisation is desirable;

• To what extent is the Welsh Government’s farming strategy, Farming, Food and Countryside, aligned with future CAP priorities;

• How should the Welsh Government engage with stakeholders as it prepares its position on reform of the CAP.