RDC(3) FD - P10
Rural Development Sub Committee
Inquiry into the Production and Promotion of Welsh Food
Response from Coleg Menai.
Feedback Re: National Assembly for Wales Rural Development Sub-Committee's inquiry into food production in Wales.
1. What are the main challenges for the Welsh Agri-food sector over the coming years?
Adding value to existing producers - Many small scale producers need to add value to their products through collaboration with other processors and producers, diversification, training etc. The challenge will be ensuring that there is support available for the producers and processors, and that they are made aware of this support be it financial, technical, mentoring or training.
Organic farming/Pesticides - The European Union’s new legislation to limit spraying of crops near schools and hospitals and ban 22 chemicals that are believed to be carcinogenic will have an effect on the winter harvest in Wales and the rest of the UK. Critics warn that if the new rules are put in place then crop yields could plummet and as a result prices will rocket. The biggest impact is believed to be on crops such as potatoes, carrots, parsnip and peas which rely on pesticides to ward off diseases associated with the UK’s damp weather conditions. DEFRA has recently published 'The Code of Good Agricultural Practice’ which aims to make it easier for farmers to understand and follow sustainable practices. Could this along with the ban on pesticides encourage growth in the organic sector?
Reducing the carbon footprint - This is currently a hot topic, with the Government setting targets to reduce the amount of carbon emissions. Everyone is encouraged to try and reduce their own carbon footprint by switching to energy saving light bulbs, installing loft insulations, using public transport etc. The farming and food industries also need to reduce their carbon emissions. Reports imply that organic products have lower ecological impact however in some cases the carbon footprint for organics is larger. The pitfalls of organic farming are:
Tomatoes - the energy required to grow organic tomatoes is 1.9 times that of conventional methods. Organic tomatoes grown in heated greenhouses in the UK generate one hundred times the amount of CO2 per kilogram produced by tomatoes in unheated greenhouses in southern Spain.
Milk - organic milk requires 80% more land to produce per unit than conventional milk. Produces nearly 20% more CO2 and almost double the amount of other by-products that can lead to acidification of soil and pollution of water courses.
Chickens - organic birds require 25% more energy to rear and grow than conventional methods. The amount of CO2 generated per bird is 6.7kg for organic compared to 4.6kg for conventional battery or barn hens.
2. What are the opportunities for the Agri-food sector?
The Agri-food sector has opportunities to improve the nation’s health by increasing the nutritional content of foods by
Developing methods to improve processing and hence improve end-product quality.
Developing new technologies
Investigate the potential of nanotechnology for new products and packaging
Investigate methods of reducing the nutrient loss in waste products
3a. What effect is the current economic climate having on the sector and how will this impact on Welsh produce in the future?
People will always want to have cheap affordable foods particularly in the current economic climate. If it is cheaper for the consumer to purchase, as an example, imported Lamb rather than Welsh Lamb then a certain percentage of consumers will opt for the cheaper imported product. Major retailers are now focusing more on 'economy’ lines to cater for client needs, which consequently will have a detrimental effect on new product development for new and existing companies.
3b. How should the Welsh Assembly Government be responding to this?
Supermarkets play a vital role in ensuring the products on their shelves are as local as possible, however the Welsh Assembly Government may also endeavour to further encourage supermarkets to stock local produce, and may consider additional support to local butchers and farm shops.
Another possible solution is to ensure route to markets becomes easier and more competitive for Welsh producers. By adding value to an already established produce by offering more support to food processors in terms of NPD and R&D which would reduce their costs and make them more competitive in the marketplace.
4a. How effective have Welsh Assembly Government policies and initiatives been in stimulating the growth of the Agri-food sector in Wales?
Through its overseas campaign of promoting quality, high value Welsh products the Agri food industry has benefited from WAG’s strategy of promoting abroad via trade fairs.
4b. Which initiatives have been effective or ineffective and why?
(No Comment)
5. Have the Welsh Assembly Government’s initiatives to increase the awareness of Welsh produce both domestically and overseas been effective? What evidence do you have?
See 4a for overseas market. Domestically WAG have realised the potential of targeting major cities such as London by organising the St Christopher market for example. This raises the profile of Welsh produce not only amongst a British audience but also a multi-cultural society which major cities like London have to offer.
Offering products the opportunity to promote their produce under the True Taste banner at major exhibitions has given producers an invaluable window of opportunity to sell their produce and the Welsh story to a global market.
Finally, the True Taste Awards has given producers an enviable platform in promoting their produce both nationally and internationally. These awards have become a truly exceptional marketing tool for producers.
6. Has enough been done to encourage integration between different elements of the food supply chain?
This is an area which will be supported by the Supply Chain Efficiencies programme.
Martin Jardine
Rheolwr Canolfan Technoleg Bwyd
Food Technology Centre Manager
Coleg Menai
