Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
I would like to make members aware about the recent evaluation of our current CPH requirements and systems, which was commissioned by the Welsh Government. The review strategy received full support from the Livestock Identification Advisory Group (LIDAG) whom membership consists of representatives from the farming industry. The independent research company ALMA Economics was tasked with this evaluation to assess the impact of existing practices on livestock traceability and to identify potential areas for improvement. Several recommendations were proposed to improve the CPH system:
- Remove Common Land Requirements: Modify the policy requiring common land to be adjacent to a Primary Production Location (PPL) to facilitate transitions for livestock keepers.
- Recurring Temporary CPHs: Allow temporary CPHs to recur annually, reducing administrative burdens on farmers.
- Streamline Number Issuance: Issue the same CPH number for repeated temporary CPHs and Quarantine Units to enhance traceability.
- Transition Deadline: Implement a one-year deadline for all users to transition to the new CPH rules, accompanied by a support package.
- One-Stop Shop Development: Explore the creation of a ‘One-Stop Shop’ for issuing CPH and flock/herd numbers to simplify the process for farmers.
Following publication, officials will consider how best to take the recommendations forward.
You can access the publication directly via this link: County parish holdings (CPH) review report | GOV.WALES