I’m pleased to take part in this debate and to reflect on some of the themes highlighted in this report by the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. A significant number of the recommendations included in the report refer to agricultural trade relationships following Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, and I am pleased to note the positive response of the Cabinet Secretary to those recommendations. It is vital that a fair and permanent framework is established to protect the sustainability of the agricultural industry when Britain leaves the European Union. Several stakeholders stressed the importance of EU export markets for Welsh agricultural products, and highlighted the need for the devolved nations to have a strong voice at the negotiating table. CLA Cymru, for example, is right to say that farmers need a trade policy that creates markets for farmers here in the UK and abroad. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that Governments across the UK now work together to secure an agreement that allows farmers in Wales to continue to rely on existing export markets, to ensure that these exist in the future and to protect our farmers against cheaper imports.

The evidence to the inquiry here also makes it clear that there will be individual priorities for each of the nations to discuss with the EU, and that one of Wales’s priorities will be to protect the red meat sector. I note that Hybu Cig Cymru told the committee, and I quote:

I can’t over-emphasise the importance of the European market to us as far as the red meat sector is concerned, especially Welsh lamb. As the majority of you will know, one third of the Welsh lamb production from Wales, which is about 1.3 million lambs, actually ends up being consumed in Europe, tariff-free of any restrictions.’

Of course, the Welsh Government must now work with the UK Government to ensure that sectors such as the Welsh red meat sector are prioritised strategically in any Brexit negotiations, and I welcome the Welsh Government’s response to recommendations in the report on this specific issue.

The committee’s report is broad-ranging and is not only concerned with the role of agricultural trade in Brexit negotiations. Indeed, there some very interesting themes related to food production and food culture, and I’m pleased to see this particular issue getting the attention it deserves. I’m sure we all agree that Wales is unsurpassed in producing high-quality products. This policy encompasses a number of Welsh Government departments—everything from health and education to the economy—and therefore it is vital that any strategy in this area is effectively co-ordinated.

I agree wholeheartedly with the committee’s view that there is a need for a higher level of support from the Government to develop a culture that creates high-quality food, sourced locally, and that creates sustainable products. For example, a lot more could be done on public procurement, particularly in relation to supporting smaller producers. Indeed, while I accept that the National Procurement Service has made some progress in this area, the Welsh Government could do more to lead the way in supporting local sourcing of food and drink for contracts, as well as building stronger ties with small and medium-sized companies, which should be supported in their efforts to access public procurement supply chains. The Welsh Government’s response to the report refers to a new approach being adopted in this area, designed to open up new opportunities for producers that have not been prioritised in the past and have not had the ability to tender successfully. I hope that the Cabinet Secretary will expand on this a little in her response to the debate.

The committee report is also right to emphasise the importance of the dairy sector in Wales, and I note recommendation 17, which calls on the Welsh Government to prepare a plan for the dairy industry, in consultation with producers, distributors and retailers. Members will know that there are high input costs for dairy farmers, and I believe that there is scope here for the Welsh Government to secure more funding for capital improvements. When I quizzed the Cabinet Secretary on this particular point in March, she said that the new small grants scheme was one area where the Government could provide specific support, and I hope that she can provide more details on how the Government is doing this. I appreciate that an independent review of the dairy sector in Wales resulted in a report in March 2015. However, given the significant funding problems experienced by some farmers in the dairy sector, this may be an area that is worthy of further attention.

In conclusion, Dirprwy Lywydd, may I again thank the committee for its work on the report? This report has addressed a wide range of issues, including climate change, sustainable land practices, agriculture and food and drink. And I hope that, in light of the committee’s work, the Welsh Government will proceed with an even greater focus on supporting the agricultural industry, and will do everything it can to work with the UK Government to safeguard our agricultural industry in the future.