, MP for Ogmore hosted an event
in Parliament this week for NFU Cymru into Welsh agriculture and
Brexit. This special event, which brought together Welsh MPs from
across the political spectrum was a fantastic opportunity to
engage with NFU Cymru and discuss the importance of Welsh farmers
and agriculture.
Available at the event was delicious Welsh produce, with a
variety of meats and cheeses produced by Welsh farmers.
MP said: “I was
delighted to host a Parliamentary event for NFU Cymru today, to
discuss the importance of Welsh agriculture and Brexit. It is so
important that farmers in Wales are protected going forward. I
know this issue is of vital importance to my constituents in
Ogmore, to ensure they are protected and get the certainty they
have been waiting for, for many months.”
NFU Cymru President John Davies added: “We are
now at a truly critical stage in the Brexit process, with
Parliament having a meaningful vote next month on the withdrawal
agreement and the political declaration.
“The EU 27 are our nearest and largest export market. Around a
third of our lamb crop is exported each year, with 90% of that
going to the EU. If we were to crash out of the EU and have to
trade on WTO terms, our exports of lamb would face an effective
tariff rate of 46%, while for beef effective rates are much
higher at anything between 48 and 84% according to the cut.
“There is no way that Welsh sheep producers could remain
competitive when faced with such steep tariffs, and that is of
course before I even go on to mention non-tariff or regulatory
barriers which are often overlooked, but can add really
significant costs to trade.
“Under a no-deal scenario, in order to export to the EU27 we will
also need to secure their approval as a third country exporter,
something which according to the UK Government’s own technical
notices, we cannot be sure of obtaining. Potentially therefore we
face the prospect of being shut out of our EU export markets for
an unknown period of time.
“My worst fear, though, is that we end up being shut out of
export markets, whilst the UK Government in its desire to keep
food on supermarket shelves will continue to admit agri-food
products from the EU27 to the UK. If realised, this would amount
to a double jeopardy of us being unable to export to the EU,
whilst imports continue to come is as normal.
“It hardly needs stating therefore that the precise nature of our
future trading relationship with the EU27 will be a key
determinant of the future viability of farming businesses across
Wales. A no-deal scenario will be disastrous for our sector and
it is vital that whatever steps necessary are taken to ensure
that we can continue to trade as freely as we possibly can with
the EU27.”
Mr Davies added: “I am delighted that so many Welsh MPs were able
to meet with us today to hear our concerns about the prospect of
crashing out of the EU next March and falling back on WTO rules.”
-ENDS-
