Assembly politicians Paul Davies, Nick Ramsay and Mohammad Asghar recently met with Monmouthshire farmers and representatives of the agricultural industry to discuss Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union and the impact and challenges that it has on the Welsh farming industry.
Topics such as the Welsh Government’s Bovine TB eradication programme were discussed to emphasise the need for a strong domestic market in the coming months and years. Attendees also discussed Welsh exports, the need for a strong agricultural framework across the UK and agricultural subsidies.
Mr Davies said: "I was pleased to meet with Monmouthshire farmers and other farming industry representatives to hear their concerns ahead of Brexit. It’s quite clear that Governments across the UK need to deliver a strong agricultural framework that works for all parts of the UK. It was also interesting to hear their views on the Welsh Government’s progress in tackling Bovine TB and I will certainly raise those views with the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
Mr Ramsay said, “It was a pleasure once again to have the opportunity to meet with local farmers and others to discuss the challenges facing the agricultural industry as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. It is vital that the interests of agriculture are protected in post-EU Britain and that valuable support for the guardians of our countryside is maintained.
“It was also beneficial to hear an update on the on-going threats to the agricultural industry including TB in cattle and the apparent unwillingness of the Welsh Government to consider robust methods to deal with excessive numbers of infected badgers.”
Mr Asghar said, “This was a positive discussion about the importance of agriculture to the Welsh economy and the challenges and opportunities we face after Brexit. It is vital that Wales works closely with the UK Government to ensure farming has a strong and viable future.”
