WIREDGOV

Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans recently announced she is seeking applications for a Chair and four independent members of the new Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales.

The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales will be established under the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 and will be the first body of its kind in Wales. The Panel will underpin the development of the agriculture industry and will advise Welsh Ministers on agricultural matters, such as retaining qualified workers and attracting new talent in the sector, as well as preparing draft Wages Orders and promoting skills development and career progression within the industry.

The Deputy Minister said:

“I am committed to ensuring that workers in the agricultural sector receive fair pay which reflects the importance of their contribution to our overall economy together with the experience and skills they possess.

“My vision is to create a diverse Panel which represents the variety of skills, disciplines, knowledge and abilities which will drive Welsh agriculture and is able to meaningfully support the functioning of the industry by facilitating co-operation among the many organisations and people who work within it.”

Providing a forum for employer and employee representatives to negotiate agricultural wages orders, the Panel will play a crucial role in setting a framework of fair remuneration and other terms and conditions of agricultural employment.

Beyond setting agricultural wages, the Panel will have a wide ranging remit to tackle challenges to the industry. These include encouraging new entrants and promoting careers in agriculture, facilitating increased training opportunities and working with Welsh Government and the industry to create strategic, joined up policies for sustainable and efficient development.

The deadline for applications is Friday 13 November 2015. Person specifications, job descriptions and selection criteria can be found on the Welsh Government's Public Appointments page  Welsh Government's public appointments page.