Today is #BackBritishFarmingDay and I‘m supporting the crucial role farmers play in producing food for the nation and caring for the countryside. The UK food and farming industry is worth more than £120 billion to the national economy and employs over 4 million people.
The farming sector is valuable not just here in Carmarthenshire but to the whole of Wales and the UK. Farmers were rightly identified as key workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to those in my constituency, and the wider food supply chain, we were able to ensure supermarket shelves were kept stocked and the nation was fed during this difficult time. I am grateful for all that they have done and continue to do.
These are uncertain times for British food and farming and the next few months will be critical.
I will do all I can to protect the levels of food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards that we value in any future trade deals from imported food that would be illegal to produce here.