Anger as Welsh foods branded British at Royal Welsh Show

The decision to replace Welsh branding with British branding at the  Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd has been criticised by some politicians.

Alun Davies, the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, criticised the move in a message on his personal Twitter account.

“The removal of the Welsh flag from this marketing of Welsh food is an absolute disgrace and typical of today’s Tories,” he said.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru AM for Ynys Môn, also highlighted the fact that Welsh branding had been replaced with British branding at the food hall at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd.

In a video posted to social media, Rhun ap Iorwerth AM said that he was concerned that Brexit could threaten Welsh branding.

“Welsh branding is important. It adds value, shows where the food comes from, shows quality, pride and economic strength, and highlights that this food is specifically from Wales,” he said.

“This is the very best of Welsh food and we’re being told throughout the food hall that this is great British food. This is great Welsh food and should be celebrated as such.

“My criticism is twofold. The UK Government must stop its clear politically motivated intention to replace Welsh branding with British on everything from food to tourism, and the Welsh Government must wake up and tell their Whitehall counterparts that when it comes to devolved areas like food and farming they should keep their hands off.”

Dr Dai Lloyd, AM for South West Wales, who also attended the Royal Welsh Show, said that “our Welsh food should be branded as being Welsh not British”.

“Despite assurances from Michael Gove last year that Brexit would not impact Welsh branding on food, what we’ve seen this week at the Royal Welsh show is a sign of things to come,” he said.

“No representation for Wales, no distinct Welsh branding – and no sign of the Welsh language either.”

Brexit

The Royal Welsh Show was today attended by the Westminster Government’s Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns, and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove.

They met with the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM, as well as representatives from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Farmers Union Wales and NFU Cymru, to discuss future farming policy after Brexit.

“I am delighted to welcome the Environment Secretary to the Royal Welsh Show once again,” Alun Cairns said.

“It’s a wonderful showcase for the quality of our livestock, food and drink and farm produce, highlighted by the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flock to Builth Wells year upon year to experience this showpiece event.”

Michael Gove said he welcomed the proposals from the Welsh Government to replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after Brexit.

“As we leave the EU we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our food, farming and environmental policies,” he said.

“We expect to see more powers than ever before being granted to the Welsh government, and we are continuing to work closely to deliver a Brexit that will benefit Welsh farmers and consumers.”