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Relief for Welsh Farming as No-Deal ‘Tragedy’ Avoided

Ochenaid o Ryddhad i Amaeth yng Nghymru wrth i Fargen Brexit Osgoi ‘Trychineb’

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Gymraeg

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) which represents the country’s vital lamb and beef sectors, has expressed relief that a trade agreement has been reached between the UK and the European Union.

Without a deal, Wales’s red meat exports – of which 90% go to the EU in a trade currently worth £180million a year – would have been subject to WTO-level tariffs of between 40-80%, which would have threatened the viability of Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef exports.

The new agreement will enable trade to continue without tariffs, securing the well-established trade between Wales and loyal customers in France, Germany, Italy and the rest of Europe.

Some new administrative burdens will follow from Brexit, with export health certificates and other paperwork being required from the beginning of 2021, but farmers and processors can look forward to continuing to build the profitable trade without the risk of punitive tariffs.

HCC Chairman Kevin Roberts

“Losing the trade with a market of 500million consumers on our doorstep, which has taken decades to build, would have been a tragedy,” said HCC Chairman Kevin Roberts.

“Common sense has prevailed after four years of uncertainty for our farmers and exporters,” he added. “We’re grateful to our European partners for sticking with us through this difficult time, as negotiations have gone right to the wire.”

“A No-Deal situation would have been a catastrophe for our sector,” said Kevin. “Now we can build on the excellent brand reputation which PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef has built with European retailers and foodservice companies. We offer exactly what the modern consumer wants; meat farmed to the highest standards of sustainability and welfare, fully traceable from farm to fork.

He added,

“We also look forward to building new trade relationships right across the World as we have been for the past few years – lamb exports to the middle east are growing quickly, and there’s huge potential in North America, Asia and elsewhere. This is a good day for Welsh food and farming.”

Business News Wales