The important role farmers play in keeping the wheels of the rural economy turning, concerns about the future of family farms in light of Brexit and other matters were top of the agenda when Farmers’ Union of Wales members and officials from Meirionnydd met with MP Susan Elan Jones.

Hosting the meeting at his farm was FUW Meirionnydd county vice-chairman Edwin Jones.

Speaking to the MP, he said: “Not only do farms produce food but they are also the cornerstone of our rural economies.

“Family farms, in particular, are at the heart of our rural economy, caring for our landscape, and of course our culture.

“They make innumerable other contributions to the well-being of Wales and the UK.

“Central to such benefits is the production of food and the improvement in domestic food security.

“All those businesses who supply essential services, materials, and machinery to farmers, through to the farmers themselves and their produce, to the processors who turn them into food, and the consumers themselves, have a critical part to play in our rural economy. And that is at stake if we get Brexit wrong.”

FUW vice president Eifion Huws said: “The draft withdrawal deal and political declaration agreed between the EU and the UK contains ‘no significant changes or improvements for Wales’ and will place the UK outside the Single Market.

“In fact the deal seeks to take us well and truly out of the Single Market and Customs Union in order to pave the way for deals with non-EU countries.

“Coupled with the UK Government’s alarming appetite for a deal with the USA, it raises major alarm bells for Welsh farming and those concerned with UK food standards.”

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday