Fears grow as farming sector denied fair play in Brexit talks

UK government departments are being urged to be open and accessible to all bodies and sectors impacted by Brexit
UK government departments are being urged to be open and accessible to all bodies and sectors impacted by Brexit

The Prime Minister has been urged to take farming into account more when dealing with Brexit, with fears mounting that the sector is being left behind.

Farming groups are being left out in the cold when it comes to meeting with Trade Ministers who are shaping the future of the UK.

The Department for International Trade has held 234 meetings after the day of Brexit and not one has been with a UK farming body.

Instead, the Government is favouring sectors such as finance and defence.

Plaid Cymru has urged PM Theresa May to ensure the UK government departments dealing with Brexit are as "accessible and engaged" as possible to all bodies and sectors impacted by the UK's departure from the EU.

Plaid Cymru has insisted that UK Ministers had "a duty" to engage fully with all organisations set to be impacted by Brexit, and that failure to do so would make a mockery of the Prime Minister's pledge that the devolved nations would have "a direct line" to Brexit departments.

'Set to lose'

Leanne Wood said it is vital that UK government departments are open and accessible to all bodies and sectors impacted by Brexit.

Ms Wood said: "This includes Wales's farming sector which is set to lose a great deal from leaving the EU unless key organisations' concerns and representations are listened to.

"The Prime Minister and her Brexit ministers cannot be allowed to build a wall around Whitehall which gives them immunity from transparency and proper scrutiny. Uncertainty is crippling for business and industry and the farming sector as much as any other deserves answers.

"By refusing to meet with key bodies in Wales and beyond for at least nine months after the referendum, UK government ministers are making a mockery of the pledge made by the Prime Minister last year that all devolved nations would have "a direct line" to Brexit departments.

"Wales's key industries and sectors deserve better than to be treated with such disregard by the Westminster government."