WELSH Assembly committee members were given an insight into the daily challenges facing a Welsh family farm in a visit to Ceredigion last week (Sept 22).

NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board delegate, John Davies and his family, welcomed members of the National Assembly for Wales’ Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Board Committee to his farm in Talgarreg.

The meeting was arranged to give the committee an insight into the daily challenges facing the Welsh family farm and to discuss the future of Welsh agriculture post-Brexit. This was part of the committee’s inquiry into the future of agricultural and rural development policies in Wales in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

The current Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Board Committee was established in June 2016, following the National Assembly elections in May, the role of the committee is to examine legislation and hold the Welsh Government to account by scrutinising expenditure, administration and policy matters and is made up of Assembly Members.

Beef and sheep farmer, John Davies said: “The meeting was a great opportunity to illustrate how Welsh farmers contribute to the Welsh economy. Farming is the cornerstone of the £6.1 billion Welsh food and drink supply chain industry which employs over 220,000 people, making it Wales’ biggest employer. Farm businesses are the axis around which rural communities thrive and therefore, it is vitally important that the industry gets a fair deal post-Brexit.

“Brexit has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the industry and one major factor creating this uncertainty - which was discussed at length during today’s meeting - is the importance of securing the best possible access to European markets for our food and drink exports.

"With Wales being particularly reliant on export markets, we stressed to the Committee that securing favourable trade agreements, with the EU and the rest of the world, must be a key priority for the Government going forward.”

Committee members also visited NFU Cymru members, Teifi and Jenny Davies, who are the owners of Llwynhelyg Farm Shop in Sarnau, near Cardigan.

This was an opportunity for them to see first-hand, the quality food and drink products that Welsh farmers produce.

During the visit, Teifi and Jenny explained how their farm and farm shop business helps support a total of nearly 240 suppliers and service providers, with over 80% of these from Wales and the vast majority of them located within 40 miles of the farm.

Teifi Davies explained, “I’m grateful to the members of the committee for visiting Llwynhelyg Farm Shop and to have the opportunity to explain our aim of providing a sustainable living for ourselves and our employees by working together with other growers and food producers to ensure the future of the rural economy and at the same time promoting quality food and drink.”