Agri Perspective Study – Scoping interviews with Stakeholders within the sector

The Welsh Government has commissioned Wavehill to undertake a research project to engage with the farming community to understand their views on some key issues and how they are responding to future changes in the agricultural sector. This aim of this research is to engage with the agricultural community to gather views on a range of subjects related to their work. The outputs from the work will contribute to strengthening WGs on-going engagement with the farming community and support our commitment to listening and working in partnership with the industry. As part of this research Wavehill wish to speak to stakeholders within the sector. 

The interview aims to gather evidence and views from organisations associated with the agricultural sector on issues currently faced by the sector which would be useful to understand via a more systematic survey, the appropriate method of study in this sector and interest in being involved in the design of  a questionnaire.  

The Welsh Government is the data controller for the research. However, Wavehill will delete any personal data provided through the interviews, and anonymise the raw data, before it is shared with the Welsh Government. 

Interviews may be recorded. Recording will be clear to you before the discussion begins. You will have the opportunity to tell us if you are not happy for the interview to be recorded. For groups, all members of the group will have the opportunity to tell us if they are not happy for the discussion to be recorded. The discussion will only be recorded if all members of the group are happy for this to happen. Once the one-to-one or group interview has been conducted, the recorded conversation will be transcribed and any personal information will be coded and anonymised. The original recording will then be erased. The findings from the research will be presented in an anonymous fashion. If interviews are not recorded, personal data will not be included in written notes prepared following the focus group or interviews. 

The information collected during the project will be included in a report published on the Welsh Government website and possibly in other publications by Wavehill and Welsh Government. 

Participation in this research is completely voluntary. However, your views and experiences are important in order to help inform Welsh Government policies. 

The contact for this research at Wavehill is Endaf Griffiths 

E-mail address: endaf.griffiths@wavehill.com / Telephone number: 03301 228658. 

PRIVACY NOTICE 

What personal data do we hold and where do we get this information? 

Personal data is defined under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) as “any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier”. 

Your organisation and contact details were found through public databases (e.g. organisation websites) or through previous correspondence with Wavehill or Menter a Busnes who are also part of the research team.  

Your participation is voluntary and if you do not wish to take part or be sent reminders then please reply to the invitation email and your details will be removed. Wavehill will only use your email address and telephone number for the purposes of this evaluation. 

This research does not require the collection of additional personal data from you. If you choose to provide additional personal data as part of the research we will not use it to identify you from, or link your identity to, the responses you provide. Any personally identifiable information will be deleted and results will be made anonymous.  

If you raise a query or complaint and provide personal data requesting a response, the researcher will forward the request only to the relevant official and subsequently delete it from the research data.  

What is the lawful basis for using your data? 

The lawful basis of processing information in this data collection exercise is our public task; that is, exercising our official authority to undertake the core role and functions of the Welsh Government. 

Participation is completely voluntary. Research and scoping studies such as this are important for the Welsh Government to collect information and actionable evidence about its ability to deliver government priorities. For example, the information collected might be used:  

• to decide what kind of issues the agriculture sector is facing presently, 

• to decide how or when is best to engage with those who work in the agriculture sector, 

• to set up a steering committee, 

• to shape questions within a separate questionnaire to those who work in the agriculture sector. 

How secure is any personal data submitted? 

Personal information provided to Wavehill by the Welsh Government is always stored in a ‘secure data store’ folder on Wavehill’s server. The data can only be accessed by a limited number of researchers working on this project.  The project’s paper work will be kept under lock in Wavehill’s offices. Wavehill has Cyber Essentials certification. 

Wavehill have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breaches. If a suspected breach occurs, Wavehill will report this to the Welsh Government who will notify you and any applicable regulator where we are legally required to do so.  

Wavehill will use the data to produce a report for Welsh Government. This report will not include any information that could be used to identify individual participants.  

How long do we keep your personal data?  

Wavehill will hold personal data during the contract period, and any personal data not already removed during data analysis will be deleted three months after the end of the contract. 

Wavehill will provide Welsh Government with an anonymised version of the dataset. This means the dataset will not include information that could identify you. In particular, your name, address and other contact details will be deleted from this dataset. 

Individual Rights 

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to the personal information you provide as part of this evaluation, you have the right to: 

• Access a copy of your own data;  

• Require us to rectify inaccuracies in that data; 

• To object to or restrict processing (in certain circumstances); 

• For your data to be ‘erased’ (in certain circumstances); and 

• To lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is our independent regulator for data protection. 

The contact details for the Information Commissioner’s Office are: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Phone: 01625 545 745 or 0303 123 1113. Website: www.ico.org.uk 

Further Information 

If you have any further questions about how the data provided as part of this study will be used by the Welsh Government or wish to exercise your rights using the UK General Data Protection Regulation, please contact: 

Caryl Williams (ERA Science and Evidence, Welsh Government)  

Email: Caryl.Williams041@gov.wales  

Telephone 03000 254971 

The Welsh Government’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:  

Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ 

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@gov.wales.