Will euro fears spark export drive?

Farmers are being urged to look into new export potential for their beef and lamb which could help to make up for the uncertainty over the future of the euro.

Guest speaker Dai Davies, chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), at the NFU Cymru Meirionnydd annual meeting will tell farmers that there are emerging markets developing for Welsh meat and current overseas demand for beef and lamb is boosting local Welsh economies. Export of Welsh lamb appears to be one of the main drivers of this boom as a number of countries look to import high quality meat.

Mr Davies will report on recent HCC success in countries such as Canada and Sweden and, with the increasing concerns over the euro, stress the need to tap into new potential, such as the huge Chinese market and the USA and Russia.

Meirionnydd County Chairman Eifion Davies said, "This year’s annual meeting will present an ideal opportunity for farmers to hear about the possibilities for exporting their products, particularly beyond the European horizon and because of continuing uncertainties over the euro currency. I urge all members to attend this meeting."

NFU Cymru President Ed Bailey will comment on current farming issues in Wales, notably the Common Agricultural Policy reform, bovine TB eradication and sheep EID.

The meeting will confirm county officeholders for the period 2012 to 2013 as Messrs Trefor Hughes, Chairman, Lewis Williams, Vice-Chairman, Geraint Rowlands, Treasurer, Hedd Pugh, Deputy Treasurer and Eifion Davies, President.