BRECON and Radnorshire's MP and MS have clashed over proposed changes to an agriculture bill.

Kirsty Williams, MS expressed concern after the Agriculture Bill debate on Wednesday, May 13, at which an amendment relating to food standards in future trade deals was rejected by MPs, including MP Fay Jones.

The amendment said the bill should only allow imports of food if the standards under which it was produced "were as high as, or higher than, standards which at the time of import applied under UK law".

A coalition of farming, environmental and animal welfare organisations which wrote to all 650 MPs urging them to ensure the Bill included the safeguards, but the amendment did not pass.

Kirsty Williams AM said: “The current pandemic has taught us a tragic and deadly lesson about the importance of animal welfare and food safety standards.

"Farmers have stepped up during the crisis to ensure that people are still able to put food on their tables. British welfare standards are amongst the best in the world and MPs had a chance yesterday to reassure British farmers that they would not be undermined in future trade negotiations.

"Supporting this amendment would have given a crystal clear reassurance to British farmers that allowing cheap substandard imports like chlorinated chicken and hormone fed beef would not be considered in future trade talks."

But Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones said accepting the amendment would have risked existing trade deals.

She said: “The amendment as drafted would have risked our existing trade deals and undermined our plans to make a free trade deal with the European Union – the largest market for Welsh lamb.

"I am not prepared to support anything which prevents Welsh farmers from being able to trade their produce around the world and I will vote against any genuine attempt to undercut standards of production."

The Bill would allow spending for certain agricultural purposes, including payments to farmers after Brexit and payments in response to exceptional market conditions affecting agricultural markets.

It would also give powers to make regulations for purchasers of agricultural products, marketing standards, organic products and the classification of carcasses.

But the concern arose over MPs rejecting an amendment intended to uphold the UK's standards in future trade deals with other countries.

NFU Cymru is among the bodies to have said it is "disappointed" with the outcome of the vote.

"I am very fearful indeed that most MPs, including the MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, did not support this amendment," Ms Williams added.

"For the farming community it is the actions of elected representatives that count, not easy, empty words.”

But Ms Jones responded: "The Member of the Senedd for Brecon and Radnorshire is part of a Government which has routinely ignored Welsh agriculture – even bringing forward damaging proposals on slurry management which would cost the industry in Wales over £300 million.

"Brecon and Radnorshire deserves a champion in the Senedd who will stand up for farming – rather than prop up a Labour administration which does not value rural areas.”