Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs – in the Senedd at 1:47 pm on 17 July 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 1:47, 17 July 2019

Well, I'm not aware of having a request for us all to come together, but you'll be very aware that, next week, we'll be at the Royal Welsh Show, where all the people that you've just mentioned can come together to discuss this. I've seen the press release from National Farmers Union Cymru. I've also had a discussion, very briefly, with NFU Cymru on this issue. Farming is an industry where market changes are commonplace, but the beef sector has experienced a really turbulent time, I think, over the past few months and, clearly, lower prices are a concern. So, I'm very happy to discuss this with anybody who has an interest in it. As I say, we'll all be in the same place next week, so maybe that will be the opportunity to do so.

You mentioned Ireland, and, obviously, the Republic of Ireland, the prices are low in a historic context and the evidence does suggest that the uncertainty of our exit from the European Union is harming Irish beef producers too, and I know their prices have been consistently low, but I think there is a parity there at the moment that we haven't seen before.