A top Welsh Government (WG) official has said he expects ‘business casualties’ from the twin pressures of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has said his Government will be ‘sensitive’ to coronavirus issues faced by farmers when setting a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) phaseout timetable.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will formally launch the Trade and Agriculture Commission at an event in Whitehall tomorrow (Tuesday July 28).

The Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) has called on Government to delay ‘business as usual’ legislation and consultations while the sector focuses on recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

With the She Who Dares Farms conference taking place at the virtual Royal Welsh Show this week, there has never been a better time to look at how far women in the sector have come.

UK agricultural exports are facing the prospect of crippling EU tariffs from the end of this year, with the Government said to be ‘close to abandoning hope’ of reaching a trade deal with the bloc.

Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the UK Government’s internal market proposals are a ‘significant step backwards’ for devolution.

Farm groups have welcomed the news that small abattoirs are to benefit from public funding under the terms of the Agriculture Bill.

As the UK prepares to sign trade deals with several countries, including the USA, concerns have grown that the food service sector may move to take advantage of low standard imports in future. Abi Kay reports.  

The independence of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission has been questioned as Farmers Guardian revealed its press operation will be carried out by officials at the Department for International Trade (DIT).