Brecon and Radnor farmers urged to shop the shops!

"The present situation regarding Welsh farm gate prices of red meat is totally unsustainable. It is imperative that the major supermarkets realise this fact before it is too late and back Welsh farmers by sourcing Welsh meat and work towards an improved farm gate price," was the main message given by the Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru, Gwyn Howells, at the recent AGM of NFU Cymru in Brecon and Radnor.

Mr Howells updated members on the present situation regarding the red meat industry in Wales and the work that HCC is doing in order to try and improve the present situation.

Mr Howells said, "We need to work with supermarkets but we also need them to show commitment to Welsh farmers in terms of sourcing policy, especially importing policy. It makes no sense to import foreign lamb that depresses our market and is environmentally unsound. We urgently need positive messages from the retailers before it is too late."

Mr Howells went on to say that he welcomed the announcements from some of the supermarkets recently regarding their sourcing policy but added that it was important that all supermarkets followed suit.

NFU Cymru County Chairman for Brecon and Radnor, Andrew Lloyd said, "We are very pleased that Gwyn has come along tonight to address us at this difficult time for farmers in Brecon and Radnor but what is becoming clear to me is that we as farmers need to take some responsibility for policing the supermarkets ourselves and help out HCC."

"We have been carrying out our own NFU Cymru supermarket survey in Brecon and Radnor which has had some local scale success in terms of changing store policy and I would urge more members to do this, or even enter their local supermarket and if welsh lamb and beef is not on sale or not predominately placed then ask to see the manager and ask why not. If the answer is not satisfactory then let me know and I will push them on this important issue."

Copies of the supermarket surveys are available from NFU Cymru Group offices across Wales.

The meeting also incorporated the County AGM and Estyn James, from Beulah, was voted in as Chairman for 2008/09 with the new Vice Chairman being Gwyn Price from Llanbadarn Fynydd. Estyn James told members that he was looking forward to taking up his new role in January but realised that he had a big act to follow in Andrew Lloyd who has given so much to the agriculture industry not only in Brecon and Radnor but across Wales in his tenure as County Chairman.