£1.5m funding pledge for Welsh red meat exports

The Welsh government has awarded a £1.5m funding pot to support Welsh red meat exports after Brexit.
Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs, announced the funding for Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) (Meat Promotion Wales) in order to strengthen and future-proof the industry.
HCC will use the three years of funding to deliver an export programme which will seek to maintain existing export markets while also developing new ones.
See also: Agriculture is foundation of Welsh economy – NFU Cymru
Only 5% of lamb produced in Wales is consumed there, according to HCC, with 40% being exported outside the UK. Of this, over 90% is estimated to be traded within the European Union single market, which is worth over £178m a year to the industry.
International profile
The Welsh government said the export programme has the potential to increase sales of Welsh red meat by £4.6m, and secure and protect current sales of £58m per annum in existing markets over the three years.
Within five years of new markets being opened a further £44m of red meat sales will be delivered.
Ms Griffiths made the announcement ahead of attending Anuga, one of the world’s largest food and drink trade events in Cologne.
She said she is confident the investment will help the industry meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“It has never been more important to raise Wales’ international profile and promote our quality food and drink to the world.
“The Welsh red meat industry is heavily reliant on global export markets to achieve premium prices.
“Strong overseas demand uplifts farmgate prices and helps to balance supply and demand, thus securing greater returns for the supply chain.”