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In a statement issued to the National Assembly, Alun Davies, described improvements that have been implemented from better communication with the industry, the development of on-line services and plans for the first annual farming conference.
Deputy Minister, Alun Davies, said:
"I am pleased to report that a number of recommendations are complete while many more are being progressed and well on the way to completion.
"I believe that the recommendations are being implemented as intended and that milestones are being achieved.
"The Welsh Government is committed to providing tailored and effective support to rural Wales and I am leading the way in making sure this process is made as efficient and effective as possible.
"I am expanding the Farm Liaison Service as Gareth Williams recommended. The process is underway to recruit additional staff and this will help us improve geographical coverage providing more farmers with easy access to first class information and guidance.
"Gareth highlighted the need for a consistent approach to farm inspections across all farming regulators. We have now established the basis for closer working and in the spring we delivered a leadership programme and business workshop involving lead officials from all farm regulatory bodies. The workshops included farm visits and a plenary session with farmers, so that regulators could experience regulation from the farmer’s perspective. "
Last year Gareth Williams was asked by the Deputy Minister to produce the independent "Working Smarter" report on the framework that governs Welsh agriculture. In this, 74 recommendations were made, all of which were accepted, with a minority being accepted in part.
The Working Smarter report and the Welsh Government’s response were published on 31st January and a debate followed on 7 February in the National Assembly.
The Deputy Minister has asked Gareth Williams to provide an independent review of progress in the autumn.
All 74 recommendations with an update on progress against each individual recommendation can be viewed on the Welsh Government website.
