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An overview of the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014, it's passage through the Senedd and subordinate legislation.

First published:
30 January 2024
Last updated:

Overview

The Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 (‘the Act’) makes provision for:

  • the establishment of the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales
  • the making of orders which set the terms and conditions for persons employed in agriculture in Wales (“agricultural workers”)
  • the enforcement of such terms and conditions

The Explanatory Notes to the Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions.

Read the full Act:

Coming into force

In accordance with section 19 the provisions of the Act came into force on 30 July 2014 (the day the Act received Royal Assent):

Subordinate legislation made under the Act

Subordinate legislation made under the Act
TitleCitation numberMade dateComing into force dateSupporting documents
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2025 on legislation.gov.uk2025 No. 293 (W. 59)6 March 202511 March 20252025 No. 293 (W. 59): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2024 on legislation.gov.uk2024 No. 390 (W. 69)15 March 202419 March 20242024 No. 390 (W. 69): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2023 on legislation.gov.uk2023 No. 260 (W. 37)2 March 20237 March 20232023 No. 260 (W. 37): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (No. 2) (Wales) Order 2022 (revoked) on legislation.gov.uk2022 No. 794 (W. 172)11 July 202214 July 20222022 No. 794 (W. 172): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2022 (revoked) on legislation.gov.uk2022 No. 417 (W. 102)31 March 202222 April 20222022 No. 417 (W. 102): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2020 (revoked) on legislation.gov.uk2020 No. 347 (W. 78)26 March 20201 April 20202020 No. 347 (W. 78): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2019 (revoked) on legislation.gov.uk2019 No. 511 (W. 118)6 March 20191 April 20192019 No. 511 (W. 118): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2018 (revoked) on legislation.gov.uk2018 No. 433 (W. 76)27 March 20181 April 20182018 No. 433 (W. 76): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 2017 on legislation.gov.uk2017 No. 1058 (W. 271)2 November 20173 November 20172017 No. 1058 (W. 271): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales
The Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales (Establishment) Order 2016 (on legislation.gov.uk)2016 No. 255 (W. 89)1 March 20161 April 20162016 No. 255 (W. 89): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales)
The Agricultural Wages (Wales) Order 20162016 No. 107 (W. 53)3 February 201626 February 20162016 No. 107 (W. 53): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales)
The Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 (Continuation of Effect) Order 2018 (on legislation.gov.uk)2018 No. 515 (W. 89)    18 April 2018       19 April 2018 2018 No. 515 (W. 89): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales)
The Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 2015 (on legislation.gov.uk)2015 No. 2001 (W. 304) 8 December 2015 9 December 2015    2015 No. 2001 (W. 304): Explanatory Memorandum on senedd.wales)

Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd

This Bill was introduced as an emergency Bill on 8 July 2013 by Alun Davies MS, who was the Minister for Natural Resources and Food at the time.

An Emergency Bill is a Government Bill that needs to be enacted more quickly than the Senedd’s usual four stage legislative process allows. A definition of an Emergency Bill is not provided in the Government of Wales Act 2006 or in the Senedd’s Standing Orders, however Standing Order 26.95 states that:

“If it appears to a member of the government that an Emergency Bill is required, he or she may by motion propose that a government Bill, to be introduced in the Senedd, be treated as a government Emergency Bill.” 

The Bill was passed by Senedd Cymru (then known as the National Assembly for Wales) on 17 July 2013.

More information about the Bill and its passage through the Senedd (on senedd.wales).

and the Explanatory Memorandum that was prepared by the Welsh Government (at introduction of the Bill). 

The Act received Royal Assent on 30 July 2014.