SECRETARY Of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, was in Llanelwedd on Tuesday, visiting the Royal Welsh Show.

He was there with the Welsh Secretary, Alun Cairns.

During his day at the show, he met 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 once we leave the EU.

Earlier this month the Secretary of State welcomed the proposals from the Welsh Government to replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and make the most of the new freedoms provided by Brexit.

He also reiterated the need for Defra and the Welsh Government to work closely to reduce the bureaucracy faced by farms on the Wales-England border, addressing some of the points raised in response to Defra’s public consultation.

Speaking to The Powys County Times, Mr Gove, said: "It's been lovely coming here today.

"We started at the RSPB, went on the National Wildlife Trust, National Trust, The Dogs Trust and had the chance to talk the FUW (Farmers Union of Wales) and NFU Cymru (National Farmers Union) and CLA (Country Landowners Association)

"Everything from Brexit negotiations to warm weather impacting livestock farmers was brought up through to the generally good state of relations between the Welsh and UK Government's through to what we can do in order to deal with public farming an the opportunities that Brexit offers us to bring back species like the beaver.

"I spoke to the Wildlife Trust about this for Wales as I saw a beaver release project yesterday (Monday) in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire."

Mr Gove, continued: "I think all of want to make sure we get a good (Brexit) deal and the Chequers agreements gives us an opportunity for the UK to flourish.

"It provides to maintain toll free access to EU markets and get ourselves on to a trajectory to rid ourselves of some of the bureaucracy from the EU Common Agriculture Policy, and move agricultural support on to a firmer basis.

"We need to be ready for every eventuality

"We need to keep our eyes on the prize of maintaining access to European markets, access new markets and a more rational and effective method of supporting farmers."

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: "I am delighted to welcome the Environment Secretary to the Royal Welsh Show once again.

"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.

"From multi-million pound investments in superfast broadband to supporting innovation in the agri-tech sector through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are delivering the measures needed to support the agricultural industry in Wales.

"As we move into the final stages of EU exit negotiations, we are stepping up our engagement to make sure the voices of the sector are heard."