The Farmers’ Union of Wales has called on the incoming Prime Minister to restore relationships with the EU and other countries in order to protect food security, trade and the UK’s reputation and standing on the international stage.
The call is one of five demands which form the FUW’s ‘Five point plan’, which comprises key actions which together will help relieve pressures for farmers, food producers and consumers in the immediate term, while bolstering food and energy security in the long term.
Speaking at the FUW’s pre-Royal Welsh Show press conference, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Our nearest neighbouring countries, the majority of which are EU members, are part of the most stable trade partnership in the world, and have acted rapidly to secure European food security in the face of threats, the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War.
“We must restore good relations with the nations and peoples who are our greatest allies when it comes to food and energy security, and represent the most affluent market in the world and one which is on our doorstep.”
The UK Government is currently seeking to unilaterally change the international trade agreement it struck in 2019 with the EU through its Northern Ireland Bill which is currently passing through the UK Parliament.
The overwhelming majority of commentators believe such a move would break international law, while the EU has instigated legal actions and threatened sanctions against the UK if this happens.
The FUW believes that such a breach of international law would also further damage the reputation and standing of the UK on the global stage.
Mr Roberts wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June warning that unilaterally changing the Northern Ireland Protocol risks adding to the extreme economic pressures already being felt by UK businesses and consumers.
In his letter, Mr Roberts acknowledged that there is scope to improve the protocol, but urged the PM to do this by building on the proposals already put forward by the EU in October 2021.
“Working closely with our nearest neighbours represents the most practical, carbon-friendly way of restoring UK food security while protecting our own food and farming industry,” said Mr Roberts.
“The incoming Prime Minister must withdraw the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to and cease re-enter negotiations with the European Union, rather than adding to the damage already done and the risks that accompany the actions taken to date,” added Mr Roberts