PROTECTING the Welsh family farm was on the agenda in its broadest sense this week as the Farmers Union of Wales hosted a visit for local AM Adam Price, MP Jonathan Edwards and Police Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.
The visit to Mr & Mrs Rickman’s Gurnos Farm in Bethlehem took place on Friday (Feb 16) with representatives of farmers, unions, animal feed suppliers and work-from-home businesses all present to question the elected members.
Topics of discussion included the future of the family farm model were the UK to leave the Single Market and Customs Union, making the industry attractive to young people, connectivity, transport and security matters.
Dyfed Powys Police Commissioner, Dafydd Llywellyn was on hand to discuss rural crime and the considerations which need to be given to the way in which ports and borders operate after Brexit.
In 2016, Wales exported 92.7% of its meat to the EU, excluding the UK, tariff-free. Nearly 70% of all Welsh exports went to the EU. The trade agreement negotiated will, therefore, be of crucial importance to Wales’ farmers. Plaid Cymru politicians have consistently supported membership of Single Market and Customs Union as the best way to protect the interests of local farmers.
Speaking after the farm visit Assembly Member Adam Price said: “Wales’ high-quality food and drink is underpinned by high animal health and welfare and environmental standards. Our farmers can therefore compete with farmers anywhere in the world on the quality of their products, but they are not well-placed to compete on cost.
“The Welsh and UK Governments should therefore ensure a transition period for the future funding arrangements equivalent to the durations of the current and next Common Agricultural Policy funding cycle.
“In order to protect Welsh farmers, we were pleased to give an assurance on our visit that Plaid Cymru will require the UK Government to seek the endorsement of each UK country before any future trade deal can be signed.
“Leaving the EU does provide some opportunities, for example, EU regulation on procurement has been a hindrance to developing procurement policies that could benefit the Welsh food and drink industry. Public sector procurement, including by schools and hospitals, should favour produce from Wales as much as possible.
“The connection between farming and wider rural economies communities needs to be better recognised in future; through improved broadband and transport infrastructure; enabling farmers to develop small community energy schemes; and recognising farmers’ role in improving health, wellbeing, protecting our language, and attracting tourism through maintaining landscapes.”
Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards said: “Of all Wales’ industries, agriculture faces the most uncertainty following the decision to leave the EU.
“Without the right trade agreement in place, the right regulatory framework and the right support, the consequences for our agricultural industry and wider rural economy will be disastrous.
“According to Hybu Cig Cymru, a scenario where the UK trades with the EU under World Trade Organisation rules could mean tariffs of 84% on cattle carcasses, 46% on lamb carcasses and 61% on cuts of lamb. The Tories promise to ‘grow more, sell more and export more great British food,’ but they do not explain how this will be done.
“The message I gave during my visit is that I and my Plaid Cymru colleagues will resist any attempts by the Tory hard-brexiteers to sell Welsh produce down the river in favour of the financial interests of the City of London.”
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