Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:48 pm on 13 June 2018.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 1:48, 13 June 2018

We are very concerned around tariffs. I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that. Obviously, trade policy is wholly devolved to the UK Government, but we've made it very clear that we need to be around the table from the start, and I think they are realising that. Certainly, last Thursday, I held a joint meeting with Alun Cairns, the Secretary of State for Wales, with my round-table stakeholder group, where we were hearing that the UK Government, for instance, are planning for a 'no deal' scenario, making sure they've got the legislation et cetera. It was very apparent that people sitting around the table were very, very concerned about this, because I think that's the first time they'd heard that.

I think you're right that there is scope, and part of our supporting the agriculture sector and the food sector at the moment to prepare for Brexit is in relation to this—looking at the gaps, looking at the opportunities. Last week, I was out in Catalonia and in the Basque Country with the food cluster teams, and there are clearly opportunities that we have not got the most benefit from. Certainly, the Basque Country are very keen to build on their relationship with Wales.