9. Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee reports on Brexit Preparedness

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:34 pm on 29 January 2019.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 6:34, 29 January 2019

Diolch, Llywydd. I thank Members for their contributions today and the Counsel General for responding on behalf of the Welsh Government's position. 

David Melding, once again, provided a very thoughtful and sincere contribution, seeking to ensure that we are ready for any outcome, as he has always been within the committee. He's been a very strong voice for the sheep farming industry and Welsh lamb, and he highlighted the concerns about the damage that could do to the Welsh economy as a consequence if we don't get that sorted out. He also pointed out, very clearly, that 'Voids are there to be filled' if we're not careful. He also mentioned one thing that perhaps hasn't else been reflected: warehousing and storage capacity for the medicines. Now, I understand a lot of fridges have been bought up by various companies for storage of those medicines. Now, just as an example—nothing to do with Brexit—but not too long ago, we had a problem with EpiPens, simply because of production faults—nothing to do with Brexit, but production faults—and we could see the consequences on the supply chain and the damages to patients and the difficulties presented to Welsh patients simply because of a shortage of Epi-Pens. Now, if we're not careful, this is going to be expanded beyond just one particular product. So, we need to ensure we address these matters and we prepare for them.

Rhun reminded us of the value of EU membership to Wales—that he presented and he believes in. Many in this Chamber will probably agree with him and there will be others who do not agree with him. That is the nature of our democracy. He also reminded us that we're now facing an unknown destiny and we're not in a position by now—we should actually be better placed now to know what's coming down the road, and we don't. His argument on another referendum, I'm sure, will be discussed tomorrow in another debate, because I'm trying to focus on our reports and to keep to that.

Huw reminded us of the reports, actually, affecting a lot more people than—. People talk about lamb and sheep farming; it isn't just mid Wales, north Wales or west Wales. It's actually upland Valleys communities as well. It's all over Wales: rural, urban, the whole lot. And he also reminded us of the opportunities that we're actually going to have by building resilience in our local food networks and developing those very strongly.

Counsel General, thank you for your responses. You highlighted what was very much said last week and you reminded everyone again that, in fact, the deal is critical and the UK Government also has to address these matters, but we still have to address who would pay the additional cost if we use air routes; who will pay the additional cost of storage and medicines? That's something that needs to be resolved with the UK Government. And there's still much to be resolved in a very, very short space of time, and I really want you to take that message back to the next meeting of the JMC(EN) whenever they do decide to meet again in the future.

Can I also put on record my thanks to the clerking team and the witnesses who gave evidence to the committee? Because without both those groups we wouldn't be able to produce our reports and present Members with the consideration of some of the concerns that we need to address to ensure that Wales and its people are served to the best we can serve them. Brexit has been compared by some to the task of delivering the Olympics. The Institute for Government, however, has gone further and suggested that the continuing uncertainty makes it like delivering an Olympics without knowing the year, the location, or whether it's the summer or winter games. Now, all the governments of the UK, and the EU, therefore, have a difficult task in preparing the whole plethora of organisations and sectors that will, potentially, be affected by Brexit. We hope that by focusing on our work and some of those key sectors that are important to Wales we will be able to raise the issues in the eyes of the Welsh Government and ask the Welsh Government, 'Make sure you prepare for situations—all situations'. We do not know what the outcomes will be. I still don't think we will know tomorrow morning what the outcomes will be, because if the Brady amendment is accepted, we've already been told by the EU and the European Parliament that it doesn't matter because they're not going to change the deal. So, there are deep concerns where we will end up and, therefore, we have to make sure our preparations are solid. Diolch yn fawr.