Promise of £1.2m investment in exports of Welsh red meat
Promise of £1.2m investment in exports of Welsh red meat
A £1.2 million government investment to develop exports of Welsh red meat has been welcomed by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales. The move by the Welsh Government follows criticism that it failed to see and act upon opportunities as a result of the horse meat scandal.
With this new investment plan to be rolled out over three years, the Welsh Government has also confirmed it will review the way in which it handled the horse meat scandal.
Hybu Cig Cymru chief executive, Gwyn Howells reacted positively to the announcement: “This is excellent news for Wales. HCC will use this additional money to further strengthen existing overseas markets for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef and develop new opportunities for our exporters.”
The announcement of the funding was made by the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies AM, during the farming business conference in Llandrindod Wells.
Exports of Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef were worth £217 million in 2012. HCC estimates that the total value of the Welsh red meat supply chain to the Welsh economy – including farmers, processors and retailers – is £1 billion a year.
“HCC has a successful track record of identifying and opening up new international markets, in conjunction with our exporting companies and the Welsh Government,” said Mr Howells. “Wales was the first country in the UK to export lamb to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Scandinavia and Canada.
“HCC is in negotiations to open up new markets for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef products in China, Russia and the United States and I am confident that this additional funding will help us achieve our ambitions.
“Approximately a third of all Welsh Lamb is exported overseas, emphasising the importance of this market for the red meat sector.”
