The competition framework Agricultural Wages Board Section 72 and Schedule 20: Agricultural Wages Board
496.Section 72 and Schedule 20 abolish the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales and related English bodies
497.The Agricultural Wages Act 1948 (“AWA 1948”) established the Agricultural Wages Board (“AWB”) for England and Wales as an independent body with a statutory duty to set a minimum wage rate for agricultural workers and with discretion to set other minimum terms and conditions. The AWA 1948 provides that the AWB’s functions exist in relation to each of the counties and combinations of counties for which Agricultural Wages Committees (“AWCs”) have been established. There are 15 AWCs in England and 1 AWC for the whole of Wales.
498.Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committees (“ADHACs”) were established under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976. They provide advice upon request on the urgency and agricultural need of an application by a landlord for re-housing a tenant in tied accommodation in order to provide accommodation for an incoming agricultural worker. There are 16 ADHACs in England and 1 ADHAC for the whole of Wales. Members of ADHACs are appointed by the Chair of the local AWC as necessary.
499.This section provides for the abolition of the AWB in England and Wales and the 15 AWCs and 16 ADHACs in England. The AWC and ADHAC for Wales are not abolished.
500.The section also introduces Schedule 20, which makes consequential provision in respect of relevant primary and secondary legislation. In particular, the Schedule amends the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 to remove the ability to apply for the advice of an ADHAC in England, repeals the main provisions of the AWA 1948 and amends the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 to bring agricultural workers in England and Wales within scope of that Act.