Post-Brexit barriers hitting Welsh lamb exports says MP

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have highlighted “continued red tape” affecting meat exports to the European Union, particularly lamb.

During a parliamentary debate, Mr Chadwick said that producers in rural Wales are still being hit by extra costs and delays when exporting to key European markets including Germany and the Netherlands.

Mr Chadwick said: “Welsh farmers were promised that Brexit would make exporting easier.

“Instead, Conservative governments, cheered on by Reform UK, delivered more paperwork, higher costs and fewer markets.

“Farmers in rural Wales are still paying the price for ideological decisions taken in Westminster with little understanding of how agriculture actually works.”

Although the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement ensures Welsh lamb enters the EU free from tariffs and quotas, it introduced new non-tariff barriers.

These include export health certificates, veterinary sign-off, and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks.

Such requirements did not apply when the UK was a member of the EU Single Market and Customs Union.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats argue these new rules have placed a particular burden on smaller producers, who often lack the resources to manage the increased bureaucracy.

While the UK Government has announced steps towards improved cooperation with the EU on agricultural trade, there is still no fully operational SPS agreement in place.

Mr Chadwick said: “Warm words and future negotiations are not enough.

“The Government needs to stop dragging its feet, finish the job on an SPS agreement with the EU, and give Welsh farmers back the ability to sell their world-class produce without unnecessary red tape.”

Welsh food and drink exports were valued at £813 million in 2023, with around 75 per cent destined for EU countries.

The EU remains the destination for roughly a third of Welsh lamb exports, 90 per cent of Welsh beef exports, and the vast majority of Welsh dairy exports.

Mr Chadwick also raised concerns about repeated delays to the UK’s own border control system and said UK farmers face a more demanding inspection regime than their European counterparts.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the UK Government to urgently secure a fully implemented SPS agreement with the EU, developed in close collaboration with farmers and food producers.

Mr Chadwick said such an agreement is vital to protect rural livelihoods and restore confidence in export markets.