THE fight against Coronavirus has been fought on two fronts. The first continues to be the most important – to limit the spread of the virus and to save lives. The second is to help our country back on its feet and drive economic growth again.

Members of Parliament have been considering ways in which to find opportunities for businesses around the world.

Agriculture is arguably the sector most affected by our relationship with the European Union and farmers in Brecon and Radnorshire need certainty to be able to plan for the future.

A Free Trade Deal with the European Union is a real priority for the UK Government – we are working to ensure we can maintain the same access to the European market we have always been able to enjoy.

It goes further than just agriculture; countless businesses in Brecon and Radnorshire could expand their horizons and find new customers around the world. I want to see free trade deals driving jobs and economic growth in rural areas like Brecon and Radnorshire.

This week, Michael Gove reported to the House of Commons that negotiations towards a free trade agreement with the EU were progressing well but he slapped down any suggestion that we need to extended the transition period.

I agree – businesses will not thank us for adding greater complexity and uncertainty to a question that was emphatically decided in December last year. The rural economy needs a boost not a sedative.

Members of Parliament debated the Trade Bill which rolls over our trading agreements as we leave the European Union. Cynics have argued this is the vehicle through which we will have to roll over and agree to every demand made by the US Government.

Most serious of all is the completely inaccurate suggestion that the UK Government will use future trade deals to sell off the NHS and flood our markets with cheap food; nothing could be further from the truth.

I was elected on a manifesto commitment to protect two things – our National Health Service and our farmers. These are commitments I take incredibly seriously and I will always use my vote in support of both.