WE have to secure a strong future for agriculture so we can celebrate another 100 years of farming at the Royal Welsh Show.

That was the message from Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM at the show’s centenary event.

The message came as the minister announced nearly £1million of support through the European Transition Fund to help the agricultural, fisheries and food sectors respond to the risks and opportunities of Brexit.

The funding will be used to support the sectors to be as resilient as possible through effective planning, help with mental and wellbeing issues and further develop marketing opportunities.

Also on the showground, the minister discussed with farmers and partner organisations the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming and Our Land proposals for future farm support after Brexit.

The new sustainable farming scheme will reward farmers for environmental outcomes and will protect the land and environment for future generations.

At the show, the minister undertook over 40 events, hearing the views of farmers, representatives from the food and forestry industries, unions and partner organisations.

The minister said: "There is much to celebrate about Welsh agriculture and the vital contribution it makes.

"I am absolutely clear we will continue to support farmers post-Brexit.

"We must also put plans in place to secure a strong future for agriculture so future generations can celebrate another 100 years of farming at the Royal Welsh Show.

"This time last year, we thought this year’s show would be the first taking place outside the European Union and we would be clearer about its impact on the industry.

"Yet the reality is we remain in unprecedented and increasingly uncertain times.

"I am in no doubt exiting without a deal will be catastrophic for the sector and must be avoided at all cost. However, we cannot ignore this very real prospect and must prepare for all eventualities.

"Our £50 million European Transition Fund is already helping businesses, key sectors and partner organisations prepare.

"I am pleased to have secured nearly a million pounds of funding through the fund, which will help support our agriculture, fisheries and food sectors respond to the risks and opportunities of Brexit.

"I recently launched our proposals for a new sustainable farming scheme – through this new scheme farmers will be rewarded for environmental outcomes.

"Our proposals will help us tackle some of the biggest challenges we face today, such as climate change and reversing the decline in biodiversity, whilst also building a successful future for the sector and future generations."

On the Tuesday of the show, the minister launched a consultation on the next food and drink action plan 2020-2026, which aims to build on the success of Wales’ globally renowned sector.

This will help the industry grow and respond to the challenges from Brexit.

The consultation sets out how the Welsh Government and Food and Drink Wales Industry Board will work collaboratively with the sector to achieve three key aims.

These cover developing business, benefiting our people and society and promoting Wales as a food nation.

The plan includes targets and measures, setting an ambitious and challenging direction for the sector.