On Wednesday 26th October, Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, welcomed Rishi Sunak to his new role during Prime Minister’s Questions, and used the opportunity to praise Welsh sheep farmers and highlight the huge opportunity presented by the US market.
Mr Baynes said: “Farmers in my constituency are delighted that after 20 years they are once more able to sell Welsh lamb to the US market. Will the Prime Minister comment on the size and prospects of that market for our world-beating Welsh lamb?
The National Farmers' Union (NFU), among others, have welcomed the announcement made earlier this month that PGI Welsh lamb is making its way to America after a long campaign to lift restrictions on imports of lamb from the UK.
In response to Mr Baynes’ question, the new Prime Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Richmond in Yorkshire, said:
“I congratulate my hon. Friend on that fantastic achievement. I can tell him that that market is worth, I think, something like almost £40 million over the first few years—an enormous boost for our land farmers. I would just encourage the 300 million US consumers to give Yorkshire Swaledale lamb a look-in as well, but if my hon. Friend and I disagree on that, I know that we are united on the fact that we will unequivocally back British farming and British farmers.”
Speaking later, Simon Baynes MP said:
“I was very pleased to highlight the fantastic news that after two decades, Welsh farmers have regained a foothold in the American market, and I was thrilled by the Prime Minister’s response, which reinforces his unequivocal backing and that of the UK Government for our Welsh and British farmers. I know that sheep farmers in my constituency of Clwyd South, and across the rest of Wales, are extremely proud of the high-quality, sustainable and delicious PGI Welsh Lamb which they produce. And as the local MP, I am thrilled for them, and will continue to do everything I can to champion their success in this international market.”
