The Red Meat Sector

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his 'law officer' responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:53 pm on 24 November 2020.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 2:53, 24 November 2020

Thank you. You'll be aware, of course, that the end of transition action plan does acknowledge that, in the best scenario, we would have a deal, and I want to see a trade deal. But, we have to prepare, and, let's be honest, as a Welsh Government you have had a long time since that vote to make these preparations. You have been working with the UK Government, I hope, to develop a UK-wide contingency plan in response to the potential impacts on the sheep sector. According to the end of transition plan, the operational design was yet to be completed as of 11 November 2020. Has there now been this agreement and, if so, will you outline to us as Members how the crisis intervention scheme is going to work?

NFU Cymru has raised concerns about the Welsh milk sector being vulnerable as a consequence of its size and its ability to process milk, and a dependence on a dairy commodity market that does not pay too well, as we all know. What steps are you taking as the Counsel General to safeguard our dairy industry ahead of next year also?