12. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: The Impact of a 'No Deal' Brexit on the Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:14 pm on 22 January 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 6:14, 22 January 2019

I think that whilst there may be some opportunities for import substitution in the medium term, the most immediate concern that any Government should have is to secure food security. So, with over three quarters of the food that we eat being imported from the EU, including half our vegetables and 95 per cent of our fruit being imported, this is all very significant. So, I'd be keen to know, if it's possible, what tariff there will be on fresh fruit and vegetables coming from Europe in the future. You mentioned 15 per cent on processed food, so I'm hoping you may be able to enlighten us there. 

Just going to the threats that are also potential opportunities, if we have these WTO-imposed tariffs, it does change the business case for growing more of our own vegetables and fruit, and I just wondered, as the growing season starts next month, whether this is an active conversation that you’re having with our farmers. Is this something that’s going to be raised at the Farming Connect conference on 7 February?

And, I suppose, the final question I have is that you talk about Wales gaining more powers over the environment, agriculture and fisheries after Brexit. Unlike Neil Hamilton, who seems to want a free-for-all for nitrate spreading, I’m rather keen to understand, if we don’t any longer have the protections of EU food regulations, how we are going to prevent a flood of chlorinated chicken and other adulterated foods just simply flooding our markets and literally putting our much higher standards of welfare and quality farmers out of business.