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Meirionnydd farmers stress the importance of tariff-free access to the EU market[/caption]
Farmers in Meirionnydd recently came together to showcase what farming in the county is like and to share some of their thoughts and concerns about the industry given the uncertainty, created by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, for the sector.
They were joined by Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi, which is run by Dewi Owen and his wife Meinir.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the importance of continued access to the single market and farmers expressed their fear of the possibility of facing tariffs when exporting produce to the EU, as well as their concern about what support agriculture can expect once the UK leaves the EU.
Farmers’ Union of Wales Finance and Organisation Committee delegate Dewi Owen, whose farm extends to approximately 280 acres and is home to 400 Welsh Mule Ewes and 10 Pedigree Charolais Cattle, said: “Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector and we reinforced that message when we met with Eluned Morgan here at the farm.
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(l-r) Meinir Owen, Eluned Morgan and Dewi Owen[/caption]
“The FUW has and will continue to highlight that post-Brexit imports to the UK should be subject to genuine equivalence in terms of environmental and animal health standards and any agreement which allows free access to UK markets for EU agricultural produce must be accompanied by financial support for UK producers equivalent to the support received by EU farmers.
“It absolutely vital that governments also proactively support UK food and farming through their own procurement policies, and by ensuring competition rules favour rather than disadvantage UK industries.”
Talking about trade FUW members highlighted that for agriculture, membership of the customs union has meant significant protection from non-EU food imports, increased competition from produce from other Member States, and unfettered access to EU markets – all within a single farm support framework and system of common rules.
Huw Jones, FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Office, said: “We further discussed possible future trading relationships with the rest of the world in a post Brexit era and the danger of seeing increased competition from larger economies with lower animal welfare, food safety and environmental standards.
“Most concerning for our farmers are proposals by senior politicians from across the political spectrum to increase imports of cheap food from countries with environmental, animal health, and in some cases human rights standards which fall well short of those legally required in the UK.”
Members of the Union stressed that such policies would not only have a severe detrimental impact on UK agriculture and rural communities such as those found in Meirionnydd, but would also lead to an overall increase in environmental degradation and a fall in animal welfare standards – both issues on which the UK electorate has strong views.
Mr Jones added saying that the loss of close and relatively affluent continental markets, and the degree to which these can be realistically replaced by markets which are much further afield, given the costs, logistics and reality of gaining similar access to alternative, by definition more distant markets is a real concern.
“Superficially, trade balance figures suggest that leaving the EU’s free trade area may benefit some products through the removal of imported produce. However, such benefits could only be realised if there is political support for trade policies which reduce imports from all other countries.
“Complicating such perceived benefits is the seasonality of production, and the degree to which sectors rely on exporting certain types of products and cuts (‘quarters’) which do not generally appeal to UK consumers in order to balance carcass and product value.
“This is a particular concern for the Welsh sheep sector, where production is necessarily extremely seasonal and includes a significant proportion of lighter lambs (around 15 per cent) for which there is little domestic demand, and exports to the continent of certain cuts and offal make up a significant proportion of carcass value for the same reason,” added Mr Jones.
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Tariff-free access to EU markets is essential, particularly for the Welsh sheep sector, Meirionnydd farmers tell Labour AM for Mid and West Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan at Esgairgyfela, Aberdyfi.[/caption]
Union officials and members also discussed the recent consultations on bovine TB, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, the importance of Agri Environment schemes to a county such as Meirionnydd, the opportunities for diversification with Tourism and Renewable Energy, lack of processing facilities and the importance of succession within farming enterprises.
Following the meeting Mid and West Wales AM Eluned Morgan said: “It was extremely valuable to meet representatives from Meirionnydd FUW. They shared their concerns with me about their fears about the industry post Brexit. I hope that I was able to reassure them that I am happy to be a mouthpiece in the Assembly for the need to focus on rural development and the central role that agriculture plays in the food and drink industry in Wales which employs over 220,000 people.”