Everyday Food Production Businesses

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 2:15 pm on 9 June 2021.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 2:15, 9 June 2021

Thank you. This week we've been reminded about the fragility of our post-Brexit trading relationships and the possible implications for our food security. This goes well beyond a spat about sausages and chicken nuggets, and yet the UK continues to import most of its vegetables and fruit, particularly in the winter months, from mainland Europe. Two years ago, the Welsh Government invested over £400,000 in three controlled-environment agriculture projects through the foundational economy challenge fund. What has been the outcome of that investment in Wrexham, Treherbert and Cwmbran? And, given that most of us won't want to eat salads coming from Australia, what plans does the Government now have to mainstream controlled-environment agriculture across Wales so that we can enjoy more local, locally produced and grown products and be less vulnerable to the disrupted relationship that we now face with our partners in mainland Europe?