Hybu Cig Cymru tells Meirionnydd farmers there's hope for the future

Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) chairman, Rees Roberts, told Meirionnydd farmers that the current state of the economy has not yet affected the demand for Welsh lamb and there is hope for the future.

Last night Rees Roberts told a well attended Meirionnydd NFU Cymru conference that meat consumption is still strong. In Wales per capita household purchases of mutton and lamb is 1.9kg per person and beef and veal is 5.1kg per person and figures showed that up to the end of last year the call for Welsh meat had not declined.

HCC is also investigating international markets for Welsh meat and Mr Roberts said, "33% of Welsh lamb gets exported the rest all stays in the UK and 4-5% stays in Wales. France imports most of our produce, importing 70%, but the recent strength of the Euro has resulted in countries such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy importing our Welsh meat.

"As an industry we must continually look at new markets for our products, our high quality meat and PGI status offers us a point of differential that allows us to do just that."

Huw Alun Evans, NFU Cymru County Chairman for Meirionnydd said, "It’s good to hear about all the work that HCC are doing on our behalf as beef and sheep farmers. The positive message about the future that Rees has delivered gives me the encouragement at this time of year with lambing season ahead to continue with what I’m doing."

The NFU Cymru leaders in Meirionnydd remain unchanged for the coming year, Huw Alun Evans will remain as Chairman and Eifion Davies as Vice-Chairman, both will take the County through to 2010.