Wales' Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies last week announced that he intends to establish an advisory board to replace the Agricultural Wages Board, which was eventually abolished in the UK earlier last month, following a legal struggle lasting almost three years.

Mr Davies is seeking powers to establish his Agricultural Advisory Panel, as he believes AWB closure will increase poverty and destabilise the agricultural sector in Wales. This week, he brought forward a Bill which would establish the Panel as a matter of 'urgency', with the backing of the Welsh Assembly.

The Welsh government staunchly opposed Whitehall's moves to scrap the Agricultural Wages Board, which negotiated pay rates and employment conditions for 150,000 farm workers in England and Wales until its closure last month. Mr Davies suggested in December that the coalition government had sidestepped consulting with Cardiff precisely because the Welsh government opposed its policy. Defra officials maintain that wage control, unlike farm policy, is not a devolved matter, so there was no need to consult.

Alun Davies said "The UK government's decision… could have serious implications for agriculture and rural development in Wales. If we take no action this move could detrimentally affect up to 13,000 agricultural workers in Wales, many of whom are low paid."

The minister promised to bring forward an Assembly Bill to preserve the effect of the Agricultural Wages Order in Wales after it expires in October. Voting on the Bill is now due to go ahead on 17th July, following two debates earlier in the month.

If the Bill is passed and a panel is established, Mr Davies said it would advise ministers on agriculture issues, including promoting up-skilling and careers in the industry. The Natrual Resources Minister said he believes the Advisory Panel would "contribute to a more prosperous and innovative economy."