First Minister Mark Drakeford heard farming officials in Aberystwyth discussing their concerns for the industry post-Brexit.

The Farming Union of Wales held its Grand Annual Council in its Aberystwyth offices last week.

Against a background of complete uncertainty in terms of what Brexit will mean for farming and the nation of Wales, the union’s president Glyn Roberts called on Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford for good governance to protect the family farms of Wales.

“The Welsh Government must ensure stability for our industries and avoid at all costs moves that would add to the turmoil our family farms are likely to face in the coming months and years as a result of Brexit,” said Mr Roberts.

“We have been encouraged by the Welsh Government’s recent response to last year’s Brexit and our Land consultation, and look forward to the next consultation paper.

“But I emphasise that if, through design or accident, what is brought forward in Wales does not echo the EU support for farmers, this would be a complete travesty for our nation and devolution,” he said.

He explained that over the past three years, the industry, and the whole of the UK has moved from worry, through uncertainty, and  into a period during which all of the FUW’s predictions and warnings have been shown to be true.

“Whether in terms of the dangers of triggering Article 50 early, the problems represented by the Irish border, the need to extend the Article 50 period, or many of our other predictions we have, sadly, been correct,” said Mr Roberts.

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