Fresh Food Supplies

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his European Transition responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 3:07 pm on 7 October 2020.

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Photo of David Rowlands David Rowlands UKIP 3:07, 7 October 2020

Minister, it is right to acknowledge there may—and I emphasise may—be some disruption to food supplies coming from the continent post Brexit, but do you not agree that this could give a huge opportunity for the UK and Wales to become far more self-sufficient in our food production? British farmers are some of the most efficient and innovative in the world and husbandry standards are amongst the highest. I am sure the British public would far prefer to buy home-grown produce, especially given the fact that farming practices in Spain, for instance, where much of our imports of fruit and vegetables come from, are far from desirable. It is evidenced that immigrant labour is being shamefully exploited, with low wages, long hours and very sub-standard living accommodation. Given such practices, does the Attorney-General not agree with me that it is far more desirable for us to produce such foods at home, where exploitation does not exist, or at least is far less prevalent?