The chairman of the Welsh Food and Drink Wales Industry Board says it is vital Wales鈥檚 voice is heard in future 海角视频 trade deals around the world.
Following Brexit, the 海角视频 can enter into new trading deals with countries around the world, with food exports a key part of the offer.
There are hopes this can help Welsh firms benefit, but this will depend on securing good access for produce that Wales excels in, such as lamb, seafood and its growing spirits sector.
Andy Richardson, chairman of the Welsh Government鈥檚 Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, said: 鈥淎s we look ahead to the coming weeks and months, monitoring and influencing trade deal negotiations will become vital opportunities for the Welsh food and drink industry as the talks and deals evolve.
鈥淚t is our role to stay connected and help influence those deals where we can, and ensure Wales sees tangible benefits.
鈥淭o do that we must all stay informed and ensure government and industry representatives in Wales make a valuable and insightful contribution to those in Westminster who have the responsibility to negotiate these trade deals.
鈥淲e need to be clear as an industry on what we want out of those negotiations and work together to make that heard.
鈥淲e must also be clear about what Welsh Food and Drink stands for in both a 海角视频 and global context.
"Our sustainable brand values and our USPs must be able to give us a competitive advantage on that stage and we must work to communicate these to diverse audiences.鈥
The Welsh food and drink industry entered 2020 on a record-breaking growth trajectory that surpassed all targets.
The Food and Drink Wales Industry Board鈥檚 purpose is to grow, promote and enhance the reputation of the Welsh food and drink industry.
Mr Richardson added: 鈥淚t is the principles behind that success that will take us through the challenges and difficulties that we now face due to the legacy of Covid-19 and Brexit as we look ahead to 2021.
鈥淭he collaboration between industry and government has been vital in building a strong and successful food and drink industry to date. Work in key areas including branding, marketing, skills and finance will continue to help the industry to weather the current storm and to flourish once more.
鈥淥f course, there is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a widespread impact on our industry. While some food and drink businesses have been able to continue as normal or even thrive in 2020, many more have struggled desperately, especially those connected to hospitality.
鈥淯nfortunately, the impact of the pandemic has also made businesses less resilient to the challenges of Brexit and with less resource to prepare for the future.鈥
Their recovery plan was published earlier last year, outlining the key routes forward to help businesses with a practical road map supporting businesses throughout the months ahead with tangible advice on encouraging and developing online sales, building resilient business models, risk management, adding value to supply chains, affordable finance, industry accreditation and training and developing skills.
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He added: 鈥淔inally, we must not lose sight of the development of our new Food Strategy in 2021, which will play another important role in helping our industry to grow and develop.
鈥淲e certainly have something special in Wales, with food and drink as one of our biggest assets and opportunities. I remain convinced that our collaborative spirit in Wales will see us through these difficult and challenging times and the Board will do all we can to maintain and develop this ethos through 2021.鈥
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