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Boris Johnson heads for Wales and bitter clash with first minister

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will continue his UK tour with a visit to Wales on Tuesd...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.17 30 Jul 2019


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Boris Johnson heads for Wales...

Boris Johnson heads for Wales and bitter clash with first minister

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.17 30 Jul 2019


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The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will continue his UK tour with a visit to Wales on Tuesday, attempting to reassure farmers there about a no-deal Brexit.

He will visit south Wales, meeting farmers and farm workers, before talks in Cardiff with Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.

But Mr Johnson is heading for a bitter clash with Mr Drakeford - who says Mr Johnson has no mandate for a no-deal Brexit, which would be "catastrophic" for Wales.

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During his visit, Mr Johnson will claim farmers and food producers will thrive in post-Brexit Britain, because of new trade deals and leaving the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

He insists the UK government will throw itself into negotiations to agree a new deal with the EU, but will prepare for no deal on October 31st.

But he will have a tough task trying to reassure Welsh farmers about no deal.

Earlier this month Minette Batters, president of the UK National Farmers Union, said a no-deal Brexit would be "catastrophic" for farmers.

More than 50,000 people are employed in the farming industry in Wales, while food and drink is the country's biggest earner, contributing almost stg£1.7bn (€1.85bn) to the Welsh economy.

'No mandate for no-deal Brexit'

Speaking ahead of his visit to Wales, Mr Johnson said: "I will always back Britain's great farmers and as we leave the EU we need to make sure that Brexit works for them.

"That means scrapping the common agricultural policy and signing new trade deals - our amazing food and farming sector will be ready and waiting to continue selling ever more not just here but around the world.

"Once we leave the EU on October 31st, we will have a historic opportunity to introduce new schemes to support farming - and we will make sure that farmers gets a better deal.

"Brexit presents enormous opportunities for our country and it's time we looked to the future with pride and optimism."

Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns, one of few British cabinet ministers to survive Mr Johnson's cull of ministers, said he was "delighted" to welcome the new prime minister to Wales.

He added: "Together we will set out our bold ambition to agree a good deal for Welsh farmers as we leave the EU and generate new trade deals to boost our economy.

"We are committed to simplifying processes and setting our ambitions high in order to create opportunities for all communities in Wales."

But Mr Drakeford said: "My main message to the prime minister remains the same: he has no public mandate for a no-deal Brexit, which would be catastrophic for Wales.

"If the UK does leave the EU, the UK government must work in close partnership with the Welsh government to mitigate negative effects on Wales and its economy."

During a visit to Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday, Mr Johnson was booed by protesters in Edinburgh.


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Boris Johnson Brexit Common Agricultural Policy Farmers Mark Drakeford No Deal Brexit Wales

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