North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned the First Minister this week over new opportunities for the Arla milk processing site in Llandyrnog, Denbighshire.
Arla revealed earlier this month that its dairy site at Llandyrnog would be closed as part of a 400 million pound restructure.
Speaking In the Assembly Chamber yesterday, Mr Isherwood who last week called for Welsh Government action to help provide security for the employees at the site, said:
“Last week, responding to me, the Cabinet Secretary referred to the Farmers' Union of Wales statement that Arla was set to retain the site while potential opportunities for other products are explored, and that he would be taking that further with them. I've since been told by one source that 'other opportunities for the site' simply refers to recommencing production should tariffs be imposed on cheese imports post Brexit.
“But we also saw, over the weekend, reporting that Starbucks has struck a 21-year licensing deal with Arla to manufacture, distribute and market its range of premium ready-to drink milk-based coffees across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, which potentially opens wider opportunities. Perhaps you won't be able to tell us until you've spoken to the Cabinet Secretary, after his discussion, but will you inform the Assembly what discussions have been had, in that context, and whether this is simply restricted to tariffs post Brexit, or whether there are new opportunities linked to the publicised new contracts with third parties?”
The First Minister replied: “Well, it is early days yet, but certainly we will explore any possibility that will lead to a positive outcome for the area. And that is something the Cabinet Secretary will continue to do, together with officials.”