Renewed fears for Welsh farming over Australia trade deal
WELSH MINISTERS WARN ZERO-TARIFF PLAN MAY HARM WALES
RENEWED concerns about the future of Wales’ farming industry have been raised amid reports of arguments between UK Cabinet Ministers over the possible nature of a post-Brexit free trade deal between Britain and Australia.
The Financial Times claimed the UK Government was negotiating zero tariff market access for agricultural products – an outcome which it is argued would harm the Welsh agriculture and food producing sectors.
But the paper said a “ferocious” row was going on between International Development Secretary Liz Truss, who wants such a deal, on one side, and Environment Secretary George Eustice and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who fear a political backlash if such a deal goes ahead, on the other.
Welsh Government Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Farmers and food producers play a crucial role in our society, economy and environment. We have been very clear with the UK Government that any new trade deals must not cause an un-level playing field, by giving food importers with lower standards an economic advantage in our market compared to our own producers.”
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths added: “We are extremely proud of the high food safety standards we have here in Wales, including standards around animal health and welfare, traceability, environment and food safety. No trade agreement should ever undermine that or our domestic legislation and the Welsh Government has consistently made this point to the UK Government.”
NFU Cymru President John Davies said: “We know that agriculture is almost always the last chapter to be finalised in any trade deal, and as these talks reach an advanced stage it’s important negotiators take on board the five detailed principles agreed today.
“The UK Government’s repeated commitments to safeguard our own standards and to not undercut UK farmers through unfair competition are encouraging, and we support their ambition to liberalise trade.
“We know that if we’re to open up the opportunities of new markets overseas for UK farmers, we will have to offer greater access to our own markets in return.
“However, this trade-off needs to be balanced, and we need to make sure concessions to our hugely valuable home market are not given away lightly.”
FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Liberal trade deals with Australia and New Zealand which include agricultural produce were always a key worry in relation to Brexit, as their cheaper imports produced to lower standards than are required here would severely undermine UK farmers and could also compromise our trade with the EU – the destination for around a third of Welsh lamb, 90% of Welsh beef exports and 95% of Welsh dairy exports.
“The economic benefits for the UK of deals with these countries are negligible – their combined populations are a tiny fraction of the population of EU, which is on our doorstep, so we would be basically gaining very little and selling our farmers and standards down the river for the sake of a Government press release saying ‘we’ve got a trade deal.’”
A spokeswoman for the Department of International Trade said: “Any deal we sign with Australia will include protections for the agriculture industry and will not undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards.
“We will continue to work with the industry, keeping them involved throughout the process and helping it capture the full benefits of trade.”