THE WELSH GOVERNMENT will provide £2.15m of its £50m transition fund to support the development of the red meat sector in Wales.
The investment will support famers to identify improvements to their businesses to help them become more competitive and in a better position to trade profitably following Brexit.
Funding will also be given to an import substitution project to help identify and secure supply chains within the UK and encourage companies based in the EU to set up operations in Wales.
Over the next two years, the fishing and aquaculture industries will receive financial support to help that sector find new markets and prepare for future trading outside the EU.
Speaking ahead of an address to the Farmer’s Union of Wales AGM in Aberystwyth on Monday (June 18) the First Minister said: “Brexit presents a series of challenges and opportunities for our agriculture and fisheries industries. The funding I am announcing today from our EU Transition Fund will provide vitally needed support. As a Government we will do all we can to help these important industries prepare for a post-Brexit world.”
The Farmers’ Union of Wales welcomed the First Minister’s announcement.
Speaking shortly after the announcement was made at the FUW’s annual general meeting, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We welcome the fact that one of the first EU transitional fund projects to be announced relates to the livestock sector which is so important to our economy and communities.”
The investment will allow farmers to assess the financial status of their businesses in order to help prepare for Brexit.
“There is so much uncertainty around what will happen over the coming months and years in terms of Brexit that planning is nigh on impossible,” said Mr Roberts.
“However, those who gain a detailed understanding of their current costs and outputs will inevitably be better prepared for the volatility and changes, whatever they may be, allowing them to react more quickly and appropriately to protect and improve their businesses.”
Mr Roberts said he hoped this would be the first of a number of EU transition fund projects to be announced aimed at helping our food and farming industries which are particularly vulnerable to Brexit.
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