A FATHER who rears over 500 sheep on his family farm in Gwynedd has voiced his concern that there will be “no point in us trying to continue producing food” if Brexit does not guarantee trade deals.

Fourth generation livestock farmer Dafydd Williams, from Ystum Cegid Isaf, has grave concerns for the future of the livestock industry, which he has raised with Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville-Roberts.

Mr Williams and his wife Miriam have two young children, Catrin, 11, and nine-year-old Robat, who have the same interest in farming as their father. The family owns over 380 acres where they keep their beef and sheep stock.

However Mr Williams is worried there will not be an industry worth entering when they grow up.

He said: “From a farming perspective, what we need is access to markets, what’s the point in going to Bryncir in a few months time if we haven’t got markets to sell to?

“The deal that is being talked about doesn’t in itself do anything for that, apart from maybe gain two more years of access to the EU markets. But it contains no trade deals, no new arrangements, in fact, it might even set back some currently available opportunities.”

The family farm, which is co-managed by Mr Williams’ mother Helen, also rents 60 acres of land during the summer months and produces first-cut silage, as well as a second crop if there is summer forage available. All the hay and straw they need is brought in.

It has 550 improved Welsh ewes and the lambs are kept for replacement or sold as stores, while 45 suckler cows are bred with a Charolais or Limousin bull.

“We need to be able to sell our products, supply chains need to be working, markets need to be protected so that tariffs don’t destroy them and we need that assurance sooner rather than later,” Mr Williams said.

“And this applies in the UK home market just as much as it does with EU nations and countries further afield.

“There are some very real challenges ahead for our sector, and we can’t overcome them all by ourselves. As farmers, we are prepared to do all it takes to run our business efficiently, to produce food that is of the highest standard.

He added: "However, if the UK Government can’t work this out, there will be absolutely no point in us trying to continue producing food.”