NFU harvest celebration in the senedd

Harvest time is a time for celebration amongst farmers and NFU Cymru is holding an event later this month in Cardiff Bay to celebrate and promote the high quality of Welsh food with retailers and Assembly Members.

Ed Bailey, NFU Cymru President said, "This time of year is particularly poignant for farmers since it’s harvest time but we are cognisant of the fact that farmers need to look beyond the farm gate and that the Welsh food sector is not just a growing opportunity, forgive the pun, for primary producers but for the Welsh economy as a whole."

NFU Cymru’s celebration of Welsh food will take place in the Oriel gallery of the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay, on Wednesday, 29 September 2010. Ed Bailey will host the lunchtime event which has been financially sponsored by the Food, Fisheries and Market Development department of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Elin Jones, the Rural Affairs Minister and the Most Reverend Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, will say a few words at the event which will give those present a ’taste’ of what Wales has to offer.

Ed Bailey said, "The ’One Wales’ document commits to setting in motion a major initiative on local food procurement. This commitment and the foresight from the Welsh Assembly Government over two years ago, set against the current concerns over food security bode well for the Welsh food and drink sectors."

Mr Bailey added, "I do appreciate that Wales has idyllic conditions for creating some of the world’s finest food, however, as part of this event, we must also recognise those farmers in different climates that produce food that it is virtually impossible for us to grow. Therefore everything that cannot be locally sourced for our event will be sourced in line with Fair Trade Wales protocols to show our support for Fair Trade Wales."