Farmers deserve ‘so much more than a disastrous no-deal’ Brexit and the Welsh industry ‘was ready to ramp up exports and boost domestic demand’ if the right deal could be struck.
That was the message from Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) chairman Kevin Roberts at the Royal Welsh Show as he said the industry needed a ‘seamless and stable solution’.
“With the right deal and unfettered access, HCC is ready to ramp up exports and boost domestic demand,” he added.
It followed the release of a report last week commissioned by the GB levy boards from the Andersons Centre, which warned the lamb export trade could be ‘almost completely wiped out’ by a no-deal.
And customers admired the ‘Welsh way’ of low-intensity livestock farming, highlighting the positive steps being taken to cut emissions.
But he added they still had to fight ‘fake news’.
Mr Roberts said: “Those that peddle falsehoods about food production methods and its consequences for climate change may be under-researched, under-qualified and often underhand. But that does not stop them being overhyped and all over social media.”
But he said it was time for Welsh farming’s success story to become ‘on-trend’.
Stars
“HCC is leading the communications fightback with videos and other multimedia material which feature the real stars of the show – farmers themselves, and our incredible Welsh landscape,” he said.
He highlighted the ‘huge contribution’ the red meat industry made to Welsh communities and their way of life.
“Just now, prices are not where we would like them to be – for beef in particular, he said.
“As well as the vagaries of supply and demand, part of the problem is economic and political uncertainty at Westminster.
“Producers deserve so much more than a disastrous no-deal.”