6. Statement by the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd: BlasCymru/TasteWales — Promoting Welsh food and drink to the world

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:03 pm on 18 January 2022.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 5:03, 18 January 2022

Thank you, Minister, for your statements. It's very clear that you're incredibly enthusiastic about what BlasCymru is doing. It's going from strength to strength and it's a really important opportunity to promote Welsh food and drink to the world at a time when Brexit and COVID have put huge pressures on producers and exporters, and I just wanted to briefly just share concerns about the effect of Brexit on food and drink from Wales.

Having met with the FSB, the Federation of Small Businesses, around a fifth of the members have indicated that they've stopped exporting to the EU, citing concerns around VAT and rules of origin, and the burden of additional processes and paperwork and the impact of Brexit on the workforce. And I just really wanted ask you what steps are being taken by the Welsh Government to support those exporters, creating additional capacity among Welsh exporters to manage supply chains.

I just also wanted to mention that I look forward to the forthcoming agriculture Bill, and to seeing the detail in Peter Fox's food Bill, both of which could provide an opportunity for the Senedd and the Welsh Government to give much needed stability and vision to the future of the food and drink industry against a backdrop of uncertainty. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.