Firmer commitment needed on red meat

WHILE the future was at last looking a great deal more positive for arable and dairy farmers, better market returns were essential to ensure a guaranteed supply of home-produced red meat, warned the NFU's national deputy president Meurig Raymond.

He told Welsh council delegates that while there were encouraging signs that both lamb and beef prices were 'moving in the right direction', a much firmer commitment was needed from the major retailers.

Without that, as had already been seen with milk, there was a real danger of a supply shortage as cattle and sheep disappeared from the main livestock rearing areas.

"One area I shall never forgive the UK Government and the Prime Minister for is the failure to address public procurement arrangements," said Mr Raymond.

"Of all the food purchased by Government agencies, local authorities, and other public bodies, just over 20 per cent is sourced from within the UK.