Welsh farmers would struggle to compete
IT IS alarming to read the UK Government’s International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss, announcing that negotiations in securing a free trade deal with Australia were “in a sprint” to secure an agreement by early June, some two to three weeks away.
The UK Government’s Brexit negotiations have already left the fishing industry dead in the water, and I fear Welsh farmers will suffer a similar fate.
Thinking of economies of scale, the average Australian sheep farm, according to Agricultural Commodities Australia, is 4,331 hectares or roughly 10,700 acres. According to The Farming Sector, Wales, the average Welsh sheep farm is only 48 hectares, or around 118 acres. Also, sheep farming in Australia, according to Australian industry research, has grown weakly over the past five years with volatile movements in wool and sheep meat, and the industry outlook for the next five years depends on international markets. They need a trade deal, like a free trade deal with the UK. Welsh sheep farms would find difficulty in competing with Australian sheep farms if Australian sheep meat is cheaper.
It is irresponsible for any government to “sprint” to secure any trade deal and should slow to a jog, or even slow amble, in order to secure a trade deal that does not wreck UK and Welsh farmers like their Brexit deal has decimated the fishing industry. Additionally, any “benefits” you offer Australia will be demanded by other trade deals with the USA, New Zealand and any other country. Act in haste and repent at leisure are my thoughts on sprinting towards any trade deal.
David Wood Landore, Swansea