Welsh food industry must work together to face future challenges
Welsh food industry must work together to face future challenges
The Welsh food and farming sector is facing major challenges over the next decade, according to the chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.
“We all have a part to play in the giant global jigsaw to maintain the reputation of Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and pork as premium quality products, putting money in the pockets of Welsh farmers and Welsh processors and boosting the Welsh economy,” Dai Davies told the annual conference in Aberystwyth today.
“This is a landmark year for HCC because it is 10 years since the organisation was formed,” he said.
“I am delighted to say that over the last decade the Welsh economy has benefitted by an additional £115 million thanks to the work carried out by HCC – in partnership with farmers, processors and the Welsh Government – to develop the Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef brands.
“But now is not the time to look back. We must look ahead to what challenges the future may bring,” he said. “And the biggest event on the horizon is without doubt reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
“CAP touches everybody in the country. It has an impact on everyone, from farmers who try to plan their businesses effectively for the future through to customers who buy our products in the shops.”
Davies said he was delighted that the line-up of speakers at the conference would give an indication of how CAP reforms and other trade talks would impact on the red meat industry in Wales, the UK and across the world over the next few years.
Among the speakers at the conference are Andrew Slade, Director of Agriculture, Food and Marine Group within Welsh Government, and Hsin Huang, Secretary General of the International Meat Secretariat.
