Farmers Suffer During Supermarket Fortune
UK - “The time has come for us to market ourselves as food producers, rather than farmers. Perhaps then our contribution to society will be held in higher regard by the retailers and the public,” said Andrew Lloyd NFU Cymru Chairman for Brecon and Radnor at the county’s recent Annual General Meeting.
31 January 2008
2 minute read
At a packed meeting held on the Royal Welsh Showground, Mr Lloyd told NFU Cymru members of his dismay that despite prices for Welsh lamb and beef remaining high on supermarket shelves, the profit is not being passed back to producers.
* "During my two years as Chairman for this county I have seen retailers profit while we have been left to languish." |
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Andrew Lloyd NFU Cymru Chairman for Brecon and Radnor
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“During my two years as Chairman for this county I have seen retailers profit while we have been left to languish. All we’re asking for is fairness and transparency in our food chain, allowing us a decent return on the food we work tirelessly all year to produce. And yet we continually see farmers being squeezed out of the market due to rising production costs and profits not being passed back down the chain to the primary producer.
“This situation is completely untenable but there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. As we well know, food security is going to become a major issue in the future and there is undoubtedly growing interest in food provenance, so there is hope that prospects will improve for Welsh farmers. Retailers provide what customers want, and we are excellently placed to provide high quality, locally produced food.”
Guest speaker at the meeting was Dr Christianne Glossop, Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, who provided an update on the latest situation regarding Bluetongue disease and the Assembly’s moves to eradicate TB from Wales.
NFU Cymru President Dai Davies, who was also present at the meeting said, “It is enlightening working with Dr Glossop and the Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, who are both determined to eradicate TB from Wales. There is a long road ahead in ridding the country of this terrible disease, but the Assembly Government’s pledge of £27million to tackle the problem is a step in the right direction.”
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