The union says that the price uncertainty and short-term volatility currently affecting the sector undermine producer confidence and all the efforts made across the supply chain to encourage farmers to build back production.
Mr Rob Lewis Chair of NFU Cymru Livestock Board said “PGI Welsh Beef has a well-established reputation for quality and is an important source of protein, vitamins and minerals, leading to strong demand in markets both at home and abroad.
Margins are under pressure, we are dealing with huge increases in costs, particularly for fuel and fertiliser as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
As primary producers of a product that has long lead-in time on farm to bring it to the plate, we cannot afford to see margins and producer confidence further eroded by a reduction in price.
NFU Cymru report
“Earlier this year our NFU Cymru Livestock and LFA Boards jointly published our report addressing decline and securing a sustainable future for Welsh Suckler Beef Production, which set out a number of key asks around marketing and trade, animal health, policy and regulation.
“We ask that retailers continue to recognise our high standards of production and safeguard Welsh beef producers from being undermined by imported product that may not have been produced to the same standard with clear labelling, both in the retail and hospitality sectors, to help inform consumers of the origin and quality of the meat that they purchase.
Progress key asks
“With a new Welsh Government, we will look to progress our key asks to government. These include an independent review of the regulatory burden Welsh farmers are subject to, a comprehensive bovine TB strategy, a more proportionate and targeted approach to water quality and a long term multi-annual budget for the SFS, with at least 70% of that budget earmarked for the universal layer to provide stability and certainty to the sector.
“The continued fall in abattoir numbers, both in Wales and in the border counties, is a concern to all of us. It is vitally important that we have a wide range of abattoirs available to us to meet all markets, whether that be large scale retail, smaller scale independent shops, hospitality and private kill.
Costs consultation
There is currently a consultation being undertaken by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) relating to the costs charged to abattoirs for official meat controls. If implemented, these proposed changes have the potential to put further pressure on abattoirs and the producers who rely on them. We will be making these points in our response.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of our consumers who back and value the quality and provenance associated with PGI Welsh Beef and we ask at this time that they continue to support the sector through their purchasing decisions.”
