£1.5m investment to support red meat exports welcomed

NFU Cymru has welcomed a Welsh Government announcement that it is investing £1.5m over the next three years to support exports of red meat from Wales.

Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths announced the investment in red meat body Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) at Anuga, an international food and drink trade event in Cologne, where HCC was promoting the Welsh beef and lamb. NFU Cymru Livestock Board chairman Wyn Evans, who is also a beef and sheep producer from Ceredigion, said: “As a result of Brexit there has arguably never been a more important time to promote our industry and to seek to grow existing export markets and develop new markets for Welsh red meat in Europe and further afield.

“While the UK market is vitally important and an area that we must also continue to grow and add value to, an overseas market helps to increase competition and provides a better carcass balance, thereby increasing the overall value of an animal and making it easier for processors to target specific cuts at the right market.

“Wales is leading the way with the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, the industry is already worth more than £6bn to the Welsh economy and we support the board in its ambition to reach £7bn by 2020.

“This new investment by the Welsh Government will help ensure that the Welsh red meat industry can play its part in meeting this ambitious target.”