‘Keep Brexit manure off Welsh food’s special status’

WELSH food products must keep their protected status and distinctive branding after Brexit, Plaid Cymru has urged.

The party’s Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Simon Thomas has called on the Welsh Government to take the threat to Welsh food branding by Brexit seriously.

He has tabled a motion calling on the Labour-led administration to ensure that food from Wales is recognised as Welsh food after Britain leaves the EU.

Mr Thomas also congratulated Carwyn Adams and his family from Caws Cenarth for winning European Protected Food Name (PFN) status for traditional Welsh Caerphilly cheese.

Wales has 15 food and drink products that have achieved PFN status.

Mr Thomas said: “Every penny we spend on food from Wales benefits our own farmers and food producers. It boosts the local economy, is better for the environment in terms of food miles, yet we seem to whisper about our food rather than trumpet it. If you think today’s experiences of food in Wales is a bit of a sorry state, just wait until the Brexit manure flies off the muckspreader.

“The main route to move Welsh food up the quality chain and improve exports and prices has been the designation of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. Hybu Cig Cymru estimates that 25% of the growth in Welsh lamb exports between 2003-12 can be directly attributed to its PGI status.

“Astonishingly, however, as we leave the EU, there is no guarantee either of the continuation of PGI status for Welsh food nor even that Welsh food will be branded as Welsh.

“It is important that Welsh food is recognised as Welsh food as we exit the European Union, rather than it being draped in the Union Jack or marked as from some vague geographical ‘Britain’.

“This is vital for our nation’s self-confidence and economy. Food and drink companies turn over nearly £7bn a year and exports increased nearly 13% in the first six months of 2016 – an increase of £15.2m alone.”

He added: “I am not convinced that the Welsh Government is taking this threat to Welsh branding seriously enough.

“It axed our own food awards in 2013. Gwir Flas had an enviable marketing edge and told the story of the quality of our food. We need to bring back our own food awards, not rely on Welsh winners in a UK Great Taste competition.

“We don’t want Welsh food marketed and branded as ‘food from the UK’. We can work together on these islands for the highest-quality food, but the story we tell when we sell must have a distinct Welsh flavour.”