Sheep industry faces 'meltdown'

It is claimed lamb dishes like cawl might have to use imported meat

The body promoting Welsh meat claims half the sheep industry in Wales could be "wiped out" within two years.

Meat Promotion Wales (Hybu Cig Cymru) chairman Rees Roberts wants supermarkets to pay producers more.

Speaking at the first day of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Llanelwedd, Powys, Mr Roberts said farmers would face an "economic meltdown".

The British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, said it was a huge supporter of the industry.

"Make no mistake - the industry in Wales is in crisis and the whole of the traditional Welsh rural way of life is now under threat," said Mr Roberts.

"We are facing economic meltdown. It is entirely possible that we could come to this event in two years' time to discover that half of the Welsh sheep industry will have been wiped out."

That will be bad for consumers, bad for farming, bad for employment in the meat industry and bad for the countryside NFU Cymru president Dai Davies

Mr Roberts' warnings came as hundreds of farmers headed to Llanelwedd, where the National Farmers' Union (NFU) Cymru launched a campaign calling for a "fair price" for beef and sheep farmers.

The union said that, according to a report, 72% of shoppers wanted to be able to buy British beef and lamb, and 80% believed supermarkets should offer farmers a fair deal.

The union warned that unless farmers' prices increased, in future traditional dishes such as cawl (a Welsh soup) would have to made using imported meat.

Andrew Opie, the British Retail Consortium's director of food policy, said supermarkets had supported Welsh sheep farmers.

"Because of foot-and-mouth, supermarkets have really shown their credentials in supporting Welsh farmers," Mr Opie said.

He said the main problem, in his opinion, was the export ban on livestock due to the outbreak.

'Keep up pressure'

NFU Cymru president Dai Davies said if prices did not rise, Welsh beef and lamb would become "niche products".

"That will be bad for consumers, bad for farming, bad for employment in the meat industry and bad for the countryside," he said.

The Welsh Assembly Government said it was determined to do everything in its power to help the Welsh sheep industry and encourage farmers to continue producing red meat.

A spokesperson said the assembly government would introduce "any actions necessary" to recover markets which had been damaged by the events of the past six months, and to establish new markets.

"Farmers need a sustainable price for their product if they are to continue producing sheep and lambs.

"In the last year we have provided £6m for the light lamb scheme, and £1m to Hybu Cig Cymru to promote Welsh lamb and beef.

"We will also continue to keep up pressure on Defra and the Westminster Government to adequately fund Welsh farming," the spokesperson said.