Farm leaders and ministers who claimed that the British sheep industry would be 'destroyed' by free trade deals with New Zealand 'need to get their facts correct', according to Farmers' for Action chairman David Handley.
Welsh rural affairs secretary previously said the British lamb industry could be severely damaged by a post-Brexit free trade deal with New Zealand.
"I do not want to say 'I told you so' but that was one of the issues we tried to get out there ahead of the referendum," she said.
But Mr Handley, who has organised protests over the price of milk in areas around the UK, said: "It really disturbs me as Chairman of FFA of the total negativity being thrown around by some Remainers who hold political office and also some who say they represent our industry and I do question their motives.
"Free trade negotiation is not going to be easy, but then neither is the place we find ourselves in at the moment and I do wish people would stop talking about 'support payments' and start talking about how we develop trade with many other countries around the world.
"I am very angry with the comments that the sheep industry is going to be doomed post Brexit and blaming New Zealand as being the major problem. These people need to get their facts correct."
'Business minded'
Phil Stocker, National Sheep Association Chief Executive, echoed the statements made by the Welsh minister and said a trade agreement would send a larger amount of sheep meat to UK retailers when the market is 'already suffering.'
"NSA understands Australia has been pushing to increase its EU quota for many years now, so there is no doubt it would send larger amounts of sheep meat to Europe and the UK given the opportunity," he said.
But Mr Handley said Brexit awarded a freedom to go forward and develop new markets for sheep farmers.
"Some we can do on our own, some we will need to operate with our partners who produce food around the world but as long as that delivers sustainable prices for our producers that is all that matters."
The FFA chairman had a meeting with Defra minister Andrea Leadsom and farming minister George Eustice to discuss the future of farming after Brexit.
"All I hear from the over 50s in my travels is this dreaded phrase 'we need support payment'.
"When will people realise no other business in the world gets subsidised as heavily as agriculture? I am not in any way saying that that is unnecessary but for us to go forward and prosper post Brexit, we have to change the way we operate and we have to become businessmen.
"There are a lot of young people currently breaking through into the dairy industry and in my travels I find them inspirational."
