Freedom to trade within EU vital for our economy

IF ONE subject has dominated political, public and private conversations across Wales in recent times, (other than our Six Nations chances!) it is the UK’s impending withdrawal from the EU and the implications for individuals, businesses and the economy.

My ministerial portfolio, which covers, among other areas, farming, environment and food, is hugely impacted by EU funding and legislation. That’s why, since the referendum, I have actively sought the views of those who will be affected the most by Brexit. Many are at the coal face of Wales’ rural economy – farmers whose livelihoods depend on EU funding, fishermen and environment groups whose work is shaped by European legislation, and food and drink producers who export.

In the conversations I have had, two unequivocal messages have been communicated to me, time and time again. Firstly, funding delivered by the EU to Wales’ farmers must be maintained, post-Brexit. Secondly, full and unfettered access to the European Single Market is crucial for the prosperity of our rural businesses.

We welcome the Treasury’s guarantee to honour funding commitments made until the UK leaves the EU. In the longer term, however, we are pressing the UK Government to make good on promises made during the referendum campaign that Wales would not lose funding as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

The reason we strongly advocate continued participation in the Single Market is clear. Wales’ food and drink sector is thriving. In 2015, food and drink exports were worth over £264m, of which over 90% was exported to the EU. It is essential that Welsh businesses are able to trade with the EU without the imposition of tariff barriers.

This is also why we strongly oppose a possible trade deal between the UK and New Zealand that may put Wales’ lamb industry at a disadvantage.

The First Minister is working tirelessly to ensure devolution is respected by the UK Government during negotiations with the EU. We’ll continue to raise these issues on your behalf as our conversations develop.

We acknowledge some UKwide frameworks will be needed when EU regulatory and funding systems cease to apply, however, we are absolutely clear they must be based on an agreement between the UK Government and devolved administrations.

Lesley Griffiths is Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs