Since 1st January, food and drink businesses have begun to really feel the effects of Brexit and the new rules. Whilst the major challenges have been associated with exporting products, imports have still been affected to a lesser degree. Ultimately both industry and government are on a learning journey as the realities of Brexit bite. What’s important now is that industry and government work together to identify and address challenges and also realise any opportunities that will present themselves over the coming weeks.

It may be difficult to focus on opportunities at this stage but over the coming weeks the Board will work with Welsh Government and Westminster to leverage export opportunities from the new trade deals that are negotiated which, in some cases, may be a lifeline for some Welsh food and drink businesses.

Brexit comes at a time when many Welsh food and drink businesses continue to suffer as a result of the current pandemic and we should never forget that these are therefore very challenging times for our industry and we must do all we can to affect those most affected by this ‘perfect storm’. Indeed, further Welsh Government support has been announced in order to help those businesses with their operating costs in recent days.

Please do get in touch if your business is experiencing challenges of this kind, we must and will raise these specific details with Government and work together to ensure we address and overcome the many challenges.

As a Board we understand the huge dual challenge that currently faces our industry, but we must ensure we also look forward towards future opportunities and growth.

As ever, if you would like directly about the issues your business or sector is facing, please email Chair.FDWIB@gov.wales

Andy Richardson, Chair of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board

Latest on Covid-19 and EU transition for food and drink businesses

• Further support announced for Welsh Businesses affected by Covid19 restrictions

• Africa Week 2021 online event hosted by Department for International trade

• Top things for businesses to do now – Brexit checker

• Latest on Covid-19 support for businesses from WG

• 18th Annual UKAFP Conference

• Welsh Food and Drink Directory registration

• Check duties and customs procedures for exporting goods

• Look up tariffs, taxes and rules to trade with the UK

• Video - What you need to know to bring goods into the UK

• Video – What you need to know to send goods out of the UK

• Exporting controlled goods

Latest industry news

• New local e-commerce platform launched to help small independent food and drink retailers across north west Wales

• Global showcase for Welsh food and drink launched

• The tiny Cardiff restaurant that made it into the Michelin Guide amid a pandemic

• UK food and drink sector to offer 400 job placements under Kickstart scheme

• Morrisons pledges further £5m to help restock foodbanks

Recent key actions from the Board

• The Board has had meetings with Government to champion the support of food and drink businesses during the current pandemic and EU Transition.

• The Board continues to meet with Welsh and Westminster (non-devolved issues) Governments to ensure Welsh food and drink interests are promoted. This includes realising any opportunities associated with new trade deals and export markets.

• The Board reviewed its own communications plans, tools and channels with the aim of encouraging more dialogue and engagement with industry, despite the current restrictions.

• The impact of the EU exit on food businesses and trade was discussed, with particular focus on export issues and tariffs for food and drink businesses in Wales.

• The Board shares all links to information, support and toolkits via Twitter and LinkedIn.

Welsh Food and Drink Apprenticeship Reviews - Now Open

The National Skills Academy for Food and Drink wants to hear from apprentices, employers, training providers, awarding bodies, assessors and other stakeholders in Wales as part of its four-week public consultation on the review of Food and Drink Apprenticeship Pathways for Wales.

Each consultation includes a number of questions and further comments and reasoning are encouraged.

The consultations will be open until Friday February 19th 2021.

The links to the consultations can be accessed by following the links below:

• Meat & Poultry

• Fresh Produce

• Baker

• Fish & Shellfish

• Dairy

Meet the Board:

Bryson Craske, Commercial Director, Abergavenny Fine Food Company

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria and spent most of my younger years living in Africa or South East Asia. My father was a chemist by trade but worked his way up the ranks into senior management roles.

On taking early retirement, the family decided on a change of pace and moved to a derelict farmhouse in South Wales.

The desire to become self-sufficient was a big draw to my parents so buying a goat to provide milk felt like the right thing to do. One goat wasn’t enough and soon led to more – which then ultimately led to too much milk! With a book from the library in hand and a saucepan on the stove, our fresh Welsh Pant-Ys-Gawn Farm goats' cheese was born.

I now live with my wife Jo and two children, Olivia and Max, in the original barn where this story all began nearly 40 years ago and I have more than 30 years of experience within the food and drink sector.

I’ve recently joined the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, with the motivation to help and support the huge amount of micro and SME food and drink businesses in Wales. I hope my experience, particularly in the area of sales and marketing, can help inspire growth and confidence for businesses to take their next step.

There are of course major challenges facing the industry and Welsh producers need to be ready to adapt to the requirements these challenges will undoubtably bring over the next 12 months.

While we may have left the EU, the transition phase continues. Issues surrounding movement of goods to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland continue to be challenging, in particular when combined with on-going pressures of Covid.

However, I also believe Brand Wales has a growing popularity and the demand for high quality, innovative food drink will continue to grow both on a domestic and global level.

Stay connected for updates on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our Facebook Group to collaborate workforce. Get in touch with us via email at Chair.FDWIB@gov.wales