Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ84763

The food system in Wales is wholly integrated within the UK food system, and our wider international supply chains. The effects of the war in Ukraine has disrupted international trade, causing a sharp price increases in energy, fuel and specific imported foods. Overall, there has been little risk to the stability of food supplies and food security within Wales and the United Kingdom.

I have met with my DEFRA and UK counterparts on a number of occasions over the last 10 days to discuss matters relating to food security. In addition I met with the Farming Unions on the 14 March and multiple food retailers on 16 March and this was to understand their assessment of recent events. The retailers are confident and adept at flexing their logistics to meet changing circumstances. Given the connectedness of food issues across the UK, close co-working between the other administrations is important. I have regular dialogue with food industry trade bodies and individual manufacturing businesses. The updates from these meetings provides an assessment of the key food security issues and a platform to put in place necessary mitigation measures.

In view of the well-established communication channels between administrations and throughout the food industry, which are functioning well, a food summit would be an unnecessary activity at this time.