Access to EU single market is essential, says UkipAM

AN ASSEMBLY committee chaired by Ukip AM Mark Reckless has reported that access to the single market is “critical” for Welsh farmers.

In its report, the committee said: “For over four decades, the way in which agricultural produce is farmed, sold and financially supported has been decided primarily at a European level.

“Following the referendum outcome last June, Wales now has a chance to mould those policies closer to home.

“But we can only take advantage of this opportunity to reinvigorate our rural communities by ensuring that we in Wales do not lose out as a result of the vote to leave.

“In the shorter term we have heard clear evidence that access to the single marketplace, continuation of financial support and assurances over migrant labour are critical priorities.”

NFU Cymru president Stephen James welcomed the report, saying: “I feel that the committee has correctly identified the key areas of concern for the industry with regards to leaving the EU, while also highlighting the opportunities that now exist to create a new policy framework that underpins the production of food produced to the highest standards and also rewards farmers for the full range of goods and services that we deliver for society.”

Mark Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “Welsh family farms will be devastated if we leave the single market. We will be denied access to the world’s most lucrative market and could be flooded with cheap imports from countries that don’t conform to our health and safety standards.

“But leaving the single market will hurt not only farmers. Every sector of the economy in every part of Wales and the rest of the UK will be hit. You can’t have a hard Brexit and a strong economy.”

Plaid Cymru has called on the interests of Welsh agriculture to be secured in any future trade deals, with any UK agricultural framework to be agreed on by all the UK’s nations.

Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Simon Thomas said: “Wales can compete on the quality of its food and drink but it cannot compete on price. It is a real concern that the Westminster Government’s trade deals will result in tariffs being imposed on Wales’ food and drink exports and in cheap imports flooding the UK market.”