7. Will the Minister make a statement on the red meat sector post-Brexit? OAQ53465

Thank you. We expect the red meat sector in Wales to face considerable challenges post Brexit. We've been working closely with our stakeholders to help prepare the sector as best we can for the multiple challenges and considerable change that leaving the European Union is almost certain to present to our farmers and farming families.

I recognise that lamb will indeed face significant challenges, particularly in a 'no deal' Brexit. I was pleased with our Brexit committee visit to Brussels over the past couple of days. We had a meeting with the New Zealand ambassador there and had constructive conversations, which I understand he's also now been having with the lamb sector in Wales. Will the Minister, though, give some more consideration to the beef sector? Because, if we were to leave the EU with no deal and apply tariffs to Irish exports to the UK, which are so significant, that would leave a very significant opportunity for beef and, indeed, dairy farmers in Wales to step up production profitably to fill that gap.

I was going to say, when you said you were aware of the challenges to the lamb sector, I'm very aware of the challenges to the beef sector also. My officials have been doing, obviously, some scenario planning and it's not just about your sectors, it's about your position in Wales and where you are as to the effect a 'no deal' Brexit could have on you.

One of the reasons I brought some funding forward under the EU transition scheme was to help the red meat sector, to help farmers, benchmark to make sure their business plans—they understood their performance and their productivity, so we could identify where to focus our real efforts. So, I think you're quite right, we do have to look at lamb and beef, but, really, we need to ensure that there is a 'no deal'—that there is not a 'no deal' Brexit.