Mr. Wrigleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has held, since taking over responsibility for agriculture in Wales, with the farming unions and with the Irish Government to discuss the impact of Irish cattle exports to Wales on the agricultural economy of Wales.
§ Mr. Alec Jones :My right hon. and learned Friend shares responsibility for agricultural policy with my right hon. 25W Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Under these joint arrangements each meets the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales from time to time to hear its views on all aspects of ongoing policy, and my right hon. and learned Friend also meets the Farmers' Union of Wales.
Questions relating to imports of Irish beef were most recently discussed on Friday 4th November, when my right hon. Friend the Minister, accompanied by his Welsh Secretary, met the President of the NFU and members of its Council for Wales. Recent trends in the trade in cattle and beef between the Republic of Ireland will be discussed at a regular meeting between United Kingdom and Irish officials in Dublin later this month.