Investment in Welsh Lamb vital

WELSH LAMB has a “fantastic name” all over the world but it was vital it received continued investment post-Brexit to differentiate it from keen competitors in the global marketplace, former Waitrose chief Lord Mark Price told farming industry leaders at Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) annual conference.
“Everything that we have become used to is about to change,” he said. “I would suggest there is no time to waste in developing a new, globally-minded approach and prepare to become match fit to win in a new global game.
“Your competitor is no longer the farm next door or even the neighbouring county- it will be Mexico, Argentina, New Zealand or Australia. In the future, the UK doesn’t have to just compete against the other 27 EU countries but instead will have truly global competition- and opportunity.”
Lord Price, a former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, and then Trade Policy, said differentiation was vital for Welsh Lamb, “Why is your product better than one from Ireland or New Zealand? Welsh Lamb has a fantastic name all over the world- but you still have to invest in that.”
He felt in the future the UK Food Service industry offered a fantastic opportunity for market growth for Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef. “It’s around 35 per cent of the market here but in the US it’s 50 per cent and there’s only one way of travel so it’s a going to be a great opportunity.”
Lord Price was Managing Director of Waitrose from 2007-16. In his view, there were three potential European Union trade deal options for the UK post Brexit: No deal, a form of customs union and a free trade agreement. “I believe the third is the most likely long-term outcome. The UK strikes a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU and, in doing so, is free to strike other advantageous trade deals.
“Such a deal would be based on zero tariffs and regulatory alignment in areas where it made sense to do so- say pharmaceuticals or automotive, where frictionless trade is key- and in Food and Drink, given the importance of our relationship with Ireland.
“If there are tariff and regulatory alignment with technology to track goods, this could provide the components for having, as near as possible, frictionless trade- all of which suggests the UK can strike mutually beneficial trade deals internationally, reducing the cost of goods to British consumers,” he reasoned.
Regarding public concerns over the possibility of new trade deals enabling food imports such as chlorinated chicken, Lord Price said he felt the Department of Trade would ensure it operated strictly in line with established food policies as positioned by Defra on a wide range of matters including standards, labelling, welfare and packaging.
He said environmental concerns were moving up the political and consumer agenda. “I’ll leave for now the issue of how subsidies might swing to reward sustainable behaviour- but I would just like to remind you that it was more than a decade ago that Walker’s started to label carbon content on crisp packets.
“The scheme did not take off but I suspect supermarkets responding to consumers will move again towards measuring carbon impacts of their products and the Government will see this as an “oven-ready” popular tax.
“Red meat, I suspect, will face a challenge- which, from what I have heard from HCC and others today, you will be well prepared for,” said Lord Price.
In encouraging news for Welsh Lamb farmers, NFU Cymru has welcomed Waitrose & Partners plans to source all of its own-label fresh and frozen lamb from Welsh and British lamb producers 365 days a year from June 2021.
NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Wyn Evans said: “We thoroughly welcome Waitrose’s commitment to stock 100% Welsh and British lamb from 2021. This comes at a time of great uncertainty for the sheep sector, so today’s news that Waitrose will be moving to a year-round supply of Farm Assured quality Welsh and British lamb is a welcome boost.
“This is a really positive move from one of the major buyers of lamb in the UK which highlights that there is a strong appetite amongst consumers for Welsh and British lamb products. We look forward to working in partnership with Waitrose to help further grow sales of great-tasting Welsh lamb.”