Co-operation is key on the matter of trade, and it’s welcome to hear Sam Kurtz’s view on this. We are both on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, and the evidence, in my view at least, has been clear that, throughout the post-Brexit process, the UK Government has failed to consult and engage with the Welsh Government consistently and meaningfully on issues of trade. We have to be fully informed and involved with the UK Government regarding future trade deals and policy impacting trade in order to secure the best outcome for Wales.

The short notice of the meeting that the Minister attended with the UK Government on border controls and the lack of communication and engagement regarding the delays are symptoms of an ongoing issue. Would the Minister agree with these comments? Is the Minister convinced that Wales’s voice is being heard during these processes, and what more can we do to ensure that trade and border policies consider the needs of Wales?

As the UK sources new post-Brexit free trade agreements, I do have concerns that this may allow foreign direct investment and multinational companies to negatively impact Welsh SMEs and local businesses. Combined with the uncertainty of the process generally and the questions that are now raised for exporters following this most recent announcement by the UK Government, I worry that the current impact on Welsh SMEs and local businesses may be quite severe. To that end, what conversations has the Minister had with the other UK Governments about ensuring that small Welsh businesses do not lose out from new trade agreements? And what advice would the Minister give to small Welsh exporting businesses, following this most recent update from Westminster?

On maintaining standards, when there are differences in standards between the UK and a country that we are making a new free trade agreement with, or trading with, trade deals may increase competition for domestic manufacturers, and if standards are dropped at the border, it may place domestic producers at a disadvantage. It’s helpful to have assurance that there will be an appropriate level playing field that also protects high standards. We should also try to ensure that new free trade agreements are working towards net zero and other sustainable economic practices. What conversations has the Minister had regarding these issues? Does the Minister know whether the UK Government shares these concerns and is planning to maintain high standards and an equal playing field via border controls?

Finally, concerns about ensuring a level playing field for Welsh agricultural producers when the UK Government is negotiating new free trade agreements must not lead to gains for other parts of the UK at the expense of losses for Wales. There are particular concerns about losses in the meat industry, for example, from the New Zealand and Australia trade deals. The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers has noted that continuous delays to the implementation of post-Brexit animal and plant health border checks could have devastating consequences for the farming and meat industry.

Unchecked imports risk infections and disease being introduced into the UK animal stock, as well as travellers bringing contaminated products into the country. The UK Government is demonstrating an incompetence and failure to support Welsh agricultural producers. Checks are crucial to our biosecurity, animal health and food safety. So, to that end, how does the Minister intend to support the agriculture industry in Wales during this period of disadvantage and uncertainty, and why is the UK Government continuing to delay these vital checks?