Food standards were the subject of discussion when representatives from NFU Cymru on Anglesey met with the Defra Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice.
During the meeting, the NFU Cymru duo clearly set out that farmers and growers on Anglesey are proud of their high standards of production – whether in terms of food safety, environmental protection or animal welfare. The pair stressed the importance that farmers in the county are not put at an unfair disadvantage through the imposition of extra costs, both direct and indirect, that are not shared by overseas competitors exporting food to the UK.
They also urged government to ensure that its broader trade policy, outside of trade deals, ensures UK farmers are not undermined by sub-standard imports that could undermine the government’s broader ambitions for a productive and sustainable UK farming industry.
Additionally, Mr Bown and Mr Williams reiterated to the Secretary of State that more than 1 million members of the public expressed their desire that food imports adhere to the same high standards as UK producers when they signed the NFU’s online standards petition.
Speaking after the meeting, NFU Cymru Anglesey Chairman Brian Bown said: “NFU Cymru has argued that future trade deals must always contain provision that preferential access for food is only given where it meets our environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards.
“Where imported food is produced to lower standards, production costs are also lower and this in turn affects the competitiveness of the food that we produce here. Anglesey is one of the most westerly points in the UK, whilst our farming systems are efficient our distance from the processing and distribution network adds costs. Without parity of standards, the future of many farming systems on the island could be jeopardised.
“I would like to thank our local MP, Virginia Crosbie, for setting up today’s meeting and I’d also like to thank the Secretary of State for giving up his time to speak with us.”