A farming family from Anglesey has raised concerns about the beef sector and livestock farming with local MP Albert Owen, highlighting that more needs to be done to protect family farms in these uncertain times.
Ioan Roberts and his wife Helen, who farm at Tryfil Isaf, Llanerchymedd, opened the gates to their 150 acre farm which has been in the family since the 1870s and is home to a 120 head herd of Welsh Black Cattle.
Ioan gave up his job as a Secondary School teacher 14 years ago to concentrate on the farm and discovered that no other breeds coped with the local climate as well the Welsh Black cattle.
And whilst his enthusiasm for the industry knows no bounds, he is worried about the future of not just his own farm business, but the future of the red meat sector.
He said: “We tried other breeds of cattle here on the farm but the Welsh Blacks are what works best for us. They are Wales' only native breed of cattle and provide high quality meat - which I can only describe as the best.
“Sadly the price of beef is not as good as it should be and I feel more needs to be done to promote this wonderful product as a premium product. In my mind it certainly deserves to be up there with PGI Welsh Lamb.
“In these uncertain times, we must do better to promote our great Welsh food to consumers here at home but we also need the UK Government to ensure that we have an export market in just a few weeks time. Otherwise, what’s the point in keeping this going?
“Without being a dooms-day thinker, there are some very real challenges ahead for our sector, and we can’t overcome them all by ourselves. As farmers we are prepared to do all it takes to run our business efficiently, to produce food that is of the highest standard. And if we want to continue seeing native breeds like our Welsh Blacks on the land and enjoy such glorious food - more needs to be done.”
Union officials also used the opportunity to reinforce industry concerns about a no-deal Brexit.
FUW Vice President Eifion Huws said: “With so much talk of a no-deal Brexit, Government running down the clock without putting any firm safety nets in place for our industry, we are concerned for the future of our rural businesses and family farms, like Tryfil Isaf.
“The UK Government must consider all possible option on the table if we are to safeguard the future of our family farms and the rural economy in Wales.
“Those who are enthusiastic about Brexit must be realistic about the dangers of getting it wrong, and the need for an orderly withdrawal over a realistic timescale.”
Mr Huws added that revoking Article 50 - a policy first agreed at an emergency meeting of the Union’s presidential team and committee chairs in mid January - must be considered as it is the only option which would take back control over the process and return us to a situation where a smooth and orderly Brexit was possible.
“A hard Brexit at short notice is likely to do untold damage to farmers and farming communities throughout Wales. That’s why we need a pause, a plan and a restart when we are absolutely ready.”