Wales wins fight to set up its own AWB

The UK Supreme Court has upheld the move by the Welsh Government to set up its own version of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB).

The Supreme Court had been asked to rule by the attorney general Dominic Grieve on the legality of the assembly’s decision to pass a bill giving Welsh ministers the right to establish their own AWB, which may be called the Agricultural Advisory Panel. The attorney had argued that ‘employment’ issues were not a devolved matter.

Unite, the country’s largest union, today (9 July) applauded the decision.

Unite regional secretary for Wales Andy Richards, said: “Today's decision reaffirms our position that the Welsh Government's Agricultural Sector (Wales) bill is definitely devolved legislation - it is good news for agricultural workers and good news for Wales as a whole.

“However, the fact that this bill was referred to the Supreme Court in the first place raises questions around Wales’ devolution settlement that need to be addressed in the interests of us all.

“We can now go forward to ensure our rural workers in Wales are supported and protected and that the agricultural sector has a sustainable future.'

The assembly’s move has also been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales and Wales Young Farmers as the most effective and fair way to regulate wages and conditions for the agricultural industry.

Last October, more than 60 years of pay protection for 140,000 agricultural workers in England and Wales ended - but the Welsh Assembly, acting in its devolved capacity, voted to give protection to workers in Wales.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have also retained their own boards.