The red meat industry must halt the falling livestock numbers
if it is to avoid demand outstripping supply, according to
Meat Promotion
Wales chairman, Rees Roberts.
He told the organisation's annual conference that 2009 had
generally been a good year for beef and sheep, with exports up
around 20% on last year due to the weakness of sterling.
"But we cannot be complacent. The number of livestock kept on
our farms continues to shrink, reducing the amount of meat produced
in Wales. If this trend continues unchecked, we could find that we
are a victim of our own success, with demand outstripping
supply."
Welsh Assembly June census
figures just published show that total sheep numbers in Wales fell
3% in 2009 to 8.2m; well below the 11.8m peak 10 years ago. The
breeding flock recorded a 5% fall, which will have implications for
the 2010 lamb crop.
Total cattle numbers were also down on 2008, by 1% to 1.1m.
Dairy female numbers have fallen every year since 2004, while the
number of beef females has fallen each year since 2005.
"As the recession continues to bite, trading conditions are
likely to be difficult during 2010," Mr Rees added. "But I am
confident that with the support of everyone in the red meat chain
we will continue to be successful and ensure that the provenance of
Welsh lamb and Welsh beef keep them at the top of the nation's
shopping lists."
