Written - Proposed Government Legislative Competence Order relating to the Welsh Red Meat Industry

I am pleased to announce that a proposed Legislative Competence Order relating to the Welsh red meat industry will be laid today.

Welsh Ministers already have significant powers in relation to agriculture, but this LCO is the first to seek legislative powers for the Assembly in this field.

The red meat industry covers the production, processing, marketing and distribution of animals or animal products from cattle, sheep and pigs. It is crucial for Wales and we currently have a major opportunity to position ourselves in the UK and wider world markets as a producer of quality products.

The immediate purpose of this Order is to enable the National Assembly for Wales to have greater flexibility to define the arrangements for the collection of levies from the red meat sector to promote the Welsh red meat industry.

This LCO will enable the Assembly to consider legislating to help to increase efficiency and productivity; improve marketing; improve the services the industry provides to the community and the ways the industry contributes to sustainable development.

I will make a Legislative Statement during Plenary on 23 September.