Prince of Wales and Marks and Spencer pledge their support to Welsh lamb farmers
The Prince of Wales and Marks and Spencer are supporting a unique lamb initiative in West Wales that will see nine young welsh farmers supplying lamb to M&S stores across Wales.
The project will take quality lamb from nine farms within Ceredigion to Marks and Spencer customers in Wales, while at the same time providing learning opportunities for disadvantaged young people through the Prince's Trust.
The idea is the brainchild of nine farmers¹, who have an average age of 32 and each farm between 80 and 200 acres. They were brought together by Agrisgôp², a Welsh Assembly Government management development programme for farmers and their families.
The farmers will supply M&S with 200 lambs per week over a six month period for the company's 17 Welsh stores. In return the retailer has developed a market-leading price pledge3 for them, where it will pay a premium fixed price throughout the contract period, rather than paying, as is common practice, a weekly rate which fluctuates according to market and seasonal forces. The price commitment not only provides greater security for the farmers, but also allows them to plan for the future.
At the same time and as part of the project the group of farmers will provide work placements for 9 young people aged between 16-25yrs from the Prince's Trust, who will also attend their local agricultural college Gelli Aur in the hope they can successfully pursue a career in agriculture.
M&S will be promoting this initiative in-store, from 4 July through the use of the Prince's feathers on packs of lamb, along with words "Working in partnership with the Prince's Trust Cymru to provide a sustainable future for young people in Wales".
Peter Davies, vice chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission in Wales who helps co-ordinate the Prince of Wales' charitable interests in the Principality, said the Prince had pledged his support for agriculture and family farms, which were at the heart of the rural community.
"The Prince of Wales is absolutely unflinching in his support for this project, which he hopes will develop a more sustainable future for the farmers involved," Peter Davies added.
Rob Cumine, Agricultural Manager for Marks and Spencer, said; "What we liked about this group of farmers is their absolute commitment to supplying the best quality lamb possible. There is also a social aspect to this project and M&S has a longstanding relationship with the Prince's Trust."
He added: "Consumers come to our stores for great tasting, quality food", he said. "If we get the product right then that's half the battle; the second half is paying a fair price to farmers".
The project also supports Marks and Spencer's Plan A4 commitment to increase regional sourcing.
One of the farmers, Rhun Williams, said the Agrisgôp group had broadened the minds of all the members about running a farm business. "Having considered all the different options we are very keen to develop our product to meet the needs of consumers in partnership with the Prince's Trust and Marks and Spencer," he explained.
"We are very grateful for the endorsement from Prince Charles and look forward to working with young people to give them an understanding of where their food comes from."
Fellow Agrisgôp group member Rhodri Hughes said: "All of us can see significant advantages in the relationship with Marks and Spencer and we are ensuring that ethical farming and animal welfare are top priorities."
