After a positive meeting with Meat Promotion Wales, a leading Welsh Conservative AM has called on the Government to create a clear, ‘long-term vision’ for the red meat industry in Wales.
Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, made the comments following a meeting (4 June) with Meat Promotion Wales, as local farmers continue to raise concerns about the recent dramatic fall in the farmgate price of beef.
Mr George, who is also the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Natural Resources, met the Chair and Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru, along with the leader of the Welsh Conservative Group, Andrew R.T. Davies AM, to talk about the organisations work, as well as the future health of the red meat industry in Wales.
However, the backdrop to the meeting has been one of declining confidence in the beef sector as a gap between farm gate price and the retail price appears to have widened over recent months. There have been reports in Montgomeryshire and other parts of Wales that some farmers are receiving hundreds of pounds less per animal than they were just 6 months ago.
Commenting, Mr George said:
"We had a positive meeting with the senior management team of Hybu Cig Cymru and discussed a number of key issues which will be important to the future of the sector in Wales, not least Hybu Cig’s current review of the Welsh red meat industry.
"Over recent weeks, a number of farmers both locally and in other parts of Wales have raised their concerns with me about price volatility in the beef market, as the relationship between the producer, retailer and the consumer seems to have faltered.
"There’s no doubt that Welsh red meat is a premium product that this country produces very well indeed and there has always been a high market value placed on such a carefully produced commodity; that price stability needs to be re-established as a matter of urgency and that will require commitment from the whole supply chain."
Following the meeting, Mr George raised the issue of red meat prices and the future of the industry with the Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies AM, during Plenary questions. The Montgomeryshire AM asked Mr Davies what facilitating role was the Welsh Government playing in bringing together all aspects of the supply chain but he also challenged him to create a long-term vision for the sector, so that there was greater capacity to slaughter and process more Welsh meat in Wales.
Mr George said:
"There is a real need for a longer-term vision for the red meat industry in Wales and the Government needs to show leadership on that.
"There are a number of issues that need to be addressed regarding how we achieve key goals, including how do we increase the number of suckler cows and how do we increase the capacity of Wales in relation to primary slaughtering and secondary processing facilities?
"After all animals are being sent to England for slaughter and for processing and we are losing valuable revenue that could be reinvested in the Welsh economy, as well as reducing the self-life of this excellent product.
"While I appreciate what the Minister has said about using RDP money to improve efficiencies and increase production and marketing, he has to put his money where his mouth is and ensure that most of the 15% he took from direct payments finds its way back into the pockets of Welsh farmers."