WRMI 7 - National Sheep Association

NSA Cymru/Wales Region Response to Consultation – Proposed Welsh Red Meat Industry LCO Committee (Saesneg yn unig)

Introduction and Background

National Sheep Association Cymru/Wales Region (NSA Cymru/Wales) is pleased to be able to respond to the proposed Welsh Red Meat Industry LCO Committee. NSA Cymru/Wales represents the majority of sheep producers and sheep production through a combination of individual memberships and affiliated breed societies. It is the only specialist organisation speaking for the interests of sheep producers throughout Wales and as such is uniquely placed to give a clear, concise and uncompromised perspective on how any given issue will affect the sheep industry.

This particular issue is of considerable interest to NSA Cymru/Wales as an organisation as well as to its individual producer members, the vast majority of whom are levy payers and all of whom have a vested interest in ensuring that quality sheep meat from farms in the principality is produced to a high standard.

1. What are your views on the general principle that legislative competence in the area identified in Matter 1.1 be conferred on the Assembly?

NSA Cymru/Wales will look to the Assembly to be more flexible and to reflect the priorities of the industry for example more emphasis may be needed on marketing and improving efficiency as opposed to improving ways in which the industry contributes to sustainable development as this could be met with other agri-environment schemes not just the use of the levy.

NSA Cymru/Wales also has a keen interest in ensuring that the sheep meat is processed and packaged to high standards throughout all its various supply chains in a manner that enhances its taste, tenderness and appearance in response to the specific needs of the particular market it is fulfilling. It is then vital that the product is branded to best effect for that specific marketplace and type of consumer to which it is to be presented for purchase.

Even as a commodity, sheep meat and in particular lamb has a high value. As such adding further value is a considerable but nevertheless achievable challenge. NSA Cymru/Wales believes that for the challenge to be successfully met the sheep sector must play to its strengths; the most important of which in terms of sales and marketing is the wide variety of marketplaces it serves. Because of this variety the dependence of sheep meat on any single type of supply chain i.e. multiple retailers is much less than many other commodities and products.

Figures reinforce this - with exports accounting for up to 30% of production, ethnic markets accounting for around 25% as well as a vibrant independent butcher sector and strong catering demand it is clear that the dependence on and relative importance of multiple retailers to the sheep industry is diminished.

As well as weakening single supply chain dependency this broad spectrum of differing supply chains also allows the various intrinsic values which are unique to sheep meat to be maximised and they compliment the differing types of quality sheep meat which can be made available to a wide cross section of consumers. Crucial to success in many of these various supply chains is the ability to brand and identify product in a manner which separates it out from the multiple retail branding.

2. What are your views on the terms of the proposed Order? For example, is Matter 1.1 too narrowly or too broadly drawn?

NSA Cymru/Wales agrees that the proposed Order needs to cover a broad base as possible in order to achieve the greatest flexibility for the industry and take every opportunity to promote and market the product.

3. Is it necessary to include interpretations of ‘the red meat industry’, ‘cattle’ and ‘pigs’ in the proposed Order? If so, are the interpretations provided appropriate or should there be any additions or deletions?

NSA Cymru/Wales agrees that the proposed Order should include the definitions of ‘cattle’ and ‘pigs’ and acknowledges the fact that the proposed Order excludes wool, as the British Wool Marketing Board administers a separate marketing scheme.

Conclusion

NSA Cymru/Wales approves of the Assembly being able to acquire powers to introduce legislation in relation to the development, marketing and promotion of the red meat industry in Wales.  However, we would seek some clarity to how the levies will be set and how much power Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) will have in setting these levies and how the levy is split up into marketing, promotion and productivity etc.