Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Farming & Food Partnership Board will consider stakeholders in (a) Wales and (b) other devolved nations when compiling sector growth plans, in the context of the operation of cross-border food supply chains.

The Board will oversee Sector Growth Plans, which will be owned and delivered by each farming sector and will focus on achieving good growth in the farming sector by improving farm productivity, increasing profitability, and strengthening the contribution of domestically produced food for national security.

Defra has established the Board on an England-only basis, reflecting the scope of the Farming Profitability Review. This means that the Sector Growth Plans will focus on the agricultural sectors in England. Sector expert groups, who are leading the development of Sector Growth Plans, may wish to engage with stakeholders in devolved nations where relevant, including regarding cross-border supply chains.

Defra will continue to consider the scope of the Board, including its relationship with Devolved Administrations, as its work evolves.