NFU Cymru members packed into a Monmouthshire barn this week to take part in the organisation’s first Brexit Roadshow consultation event.
The roadshow sees NFU Cymru staff and officeholders travelling around Wales to engage with members to discuss what they would like to see from a future Welsh agricultural policy now that the UK has voted to leave the European Union.
The Thursday 1st September event was held at North Court Farm, Redwick, Newport by kind permission of the James family and featured NFU President Meurig Raymond as a guest speaker.
NFU Cymru staff presented a detailed run down of the process of leaving the EU and the different trade options available once Article 50 is triggered.
NFU Cymru President Stephen James and Deputy President John Davies were also on hand to answer members’ questions about what could lie ahead for Welsh agriculture in a future outside the EU.
The key topics raised by members included queries about possible trade deals, access to labour and the make-up of a future Welsh agricultural policy.
Members also stated the importance of future expenditure on domestic support being on a par with their counterparts over the border in England and with EU member states.
NFU Cymru President Stephen James, said: “It was fantastic to see so many members attend the first of our Brexit Roadshows and contribute to an interesting debate about the direction Welsh agriculture needs to take for a productive, progressive and profitable future.
“Recent political events mean that the industry is approaching a crossroads, so it is important that members play an active part in this consultation by attending our meetings, filling in their Brexit questionnaires and ensuring their voice is heard so that we can move forward together at this crucial time.”
