Environment Secretary Michael Gove attended the Royal Welsh Show, alongside the Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, where he experienced the very best of Welsh food, farming and rural life.

While at the show, he met with Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM, as well as representatives from farming groups, such as Farmers Union Wales and NFU Cymru, to discuss future farming policy once the UK leaves the EU.

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Mr Gove said he believed that tariff-free access to European food markets is "overwhelmingly" likely after Brexit, 

"I think because a deal is in all our interests, that is what the outcome will be," he told BBC Wales.

On a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, Mr Gove said the EU had been constructive.

He added that its chief negotiator Michel Barnier did not want any trade barriers, quotas or tariffs "which was good news for Welsh farmers".

But he said that the UK was still preparing for all eventualities, including a no deal Brexit scenario, which was prudent.

He said :"As we leave the EU we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform our food, farming and environmental policies. 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.

NFU Cymru President John Davies said: “We cautiously welcome the comments made from Mr Gove yesterday and his optimism around future trading relationships with the EU. However, Welsh farmers will be waiting anxiously for more concrete assurances and clarity on these statements before pushing on with decisions that will influence the future direction of their businesses.

“We also used the meeting to stress the importance of food production and the leading role that farmers in Wales play in feeding the nation and markets further afield. We consolidated this point by sharing the important figures from our recent YouGov survey of Welsh consumers, which shows that 83% of the Welsh public acknowledge role as food producers and believe the industry should be supported for this service as part of any new agricultural policy in Wales. We were, therefore, pleased to hear Mr Gove state that he agreed with us that farmers and food businesses will be key to future success.”

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Following the meeting, Mr Gove and Mr Cairns signed the NFU Cymru #WeAreWelshFarming pledge board to show their support for Welsh farmers and wrote a statement stating what they associate with the agricultural industry in Wales. Mr Gove wrote ‘The finest food from the most beautiful land’, while Mr Cairns penned ‘The highest standards and the greatest diversity and the cleanest environment’.