The Farmers’ Union of Wales has highlighted the need for Members of Parliament to do all they can to fully scrutinise and have a say on an UK-Australia trade deal, after Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday agreed the broad terms of a deal.

“We have grave concerns that we could end up with a deal that’s catastrophic for animal welfare, the environment, our family farms and our food security - and that it will be set in stone,” said FUW President Glyn Roberts.

Mr Roberts said that in the past few days Boris Johnson had come under significant pressure from the world’s most powerful leaders because he had ignored all the warnings about the consequences of a deal he struck with the EU - the Northern Ireland Protocol. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the decision of the  Senedd to review the current Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations, which are currently being phased in and are set to cost the industry millions.

A joint opposition party motion called for a Senedd committee to hold an "urgent" review of the new regulations and the call for a review was passed by 58 votes to nil on Wednesday, 9 June.

Responding to the news, FUW Vice President Dai Miles said: “We are pleased to see that a robust discussion in the Senedd has led to all Welsh Senedd members backing a review into the regulations as they currently stand.

Farmers’ Union of Wales members from Denbighshire, Flintshire and Meirionnydd have outlined their concerns and objections to the free trade agreement with Australia at a recent meeting with Clwyd West MP David Jones, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes and Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies.

Speaking after the meeting FUW Denbigh and Flint county executive officer Mari Dafydd Jones said: “We made it very clear in our meeting with the MPs that trade deals lock the current and future governments into them, and as such need time and thorough scrutiny. 

“Under no circumstances should they be rushed, but that is what is happening here, on top of which the UK Parliament will not be able to scrutinise and have a final say on a deal in the way other democratic nations do.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales members from Pembrokeshire have outlined their concerns and objections to the free trade agreement with Australia at a recent meeting with their local MP Stephen Crabb.

Speaking after the meeting FUW Pembrokeshire County Executive Officer Rebecca Voyle said: “We made it very clear in our meetings with Stephen Crabb that trade deals lock the current and future governments into them, and as such need time and thorough scrutiny. 

“Under no circumstances should they be rushed, but that is what is happening here, on top of which the UK Parliament will not be able to scrutinise and have a final say on a deal in the way other democratic nations do.”

Mrs Voyle said the FUW had therefore asked him to oppose such a trade agreement and do all that he could to ensure detailed scrutiny takes place.