Recently I had the honour to welcome The Australian High Commissioner Right Honourable George Brandis QC to Brecon and Radnorshire. His Excellency is the Australian Government’s representative in the UK and so it was a huge privilege that he should choose to come to our beautiful corner of Mid Wales.
During the visit, the High Commissioner toured the Barracks in Brecon and met with Brigadier Andrew Dawes, Head of the Army in Wales. He received a comprehensive briefing from the Brigadier about Wales’s role in the UK Armed Forces and the support the Army has offered during the Coronavirus pandemic. As events around the world unfold, it was a vital chance to discuss the close defence and security partnership between the UK and Australia.
We also met with local farmers, Vin and Elaine Stephens, and their family at their home farm just outside Talgarth. The High Commissioner discussed a number of issues affecting the UK farming sector, not least the recently agreed trade deal between Australia and Great Britain.
As well as a historic partnership between the two countries, the deal is the gateway towards the UK joining the CPTPP (the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership) – an alliance of emerging economies in the Pacific Rim. The High Commissioner was keen that Welsh farmers should benefit from these new markets and for the UK to regain its place as a leader in global trade. There is now more economic opportunity for the UK than ever before. Our young people are now able to travel and work in Australia more freely. UK services will be able to compete in the Australian market on guaranteed equal footing, whilst the opportunities for digital trade with Australia is expanded.
Farming is the lifeblood in our area. It provides jobs and livelihoods and sustains our natural environment. And so it has been slightly frustrating to not be able to talk about farming while serving as PPS to the DEFRA Secretary of State. However, now in a new role as PPS to leader of the House, I’m at last able to talk about the benefits of this deal.
Whilst at DEFRA the Agriculture bill dominated my to do list, and after lobbying the Government I welcomed the introduction of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, the body now scrutinising future trade deals and ensuring that these trade deals work for our farmers. Confidence in the future of agriculture is vital for us all in Brecon and Radnorshire. It is my priority that the farming industry remains at the forefront of the world stage. I was elected on a manifesto commitment to ensure that high standards of animal welfare and food hygiene are respected in trade deals and any deal should not compromise our high quality and standards.
The Australia deal does not create any new permissions for imports from Australia. All imported food and drink products will continue to have to comply with our import requirements.
All of us in Brecon and Radnorshire are, I’m sure, incredibly proud of our strong links with Australia. In many ways, Australia our closest friends (our bitterest rivals in sport….) but a dear part of our family.
I’m delighted by the potential of this bold new chapter and look forward to an enriching relationship
