First international sheepmeat forum identify world challenges
NFU Cymru last week attended the first ever International Sheepmeat forum in Brussels, which brought together producer and processor organisations from 20 different major sheep producing countries.
The forum was arranged to discuss the challenges and opportunities the sheepmeat industry faces and determine how major organisations and nations with a common interest in the sheep industry can work together to secure a sustainable future.
Meirionnydd sheep farmer and NFU Cymru Vice President, Ed Bailey, who attended the forum on behalf of NFU Cymru said, "We appreciate that countries such as Australia and New Zealand are often in direct competition with Welsh lamb for space on supermarket shelves, however there is also widespread recognition that sheep producers worldwide face many of the same challenges and there is a need for greater international cooperation to secure a sustainable and profitable future for our industry."
The forum agreed that there is a need for more co-ordinated and integrated actions on issues such as; climate change mitigation and adaption, research and development, reducing unnecessary regulation, promoting the health and nutritional benefits of lamb and measures to tackle the worldwide fall in consumption of sheepmeat.
Ed Bailey added, "Recent figures show whilst consumption figures in the UK remain relatively strong, other countries in Europe have seen significant drops in consumption figures. For example, in 1997 consumers within the 15 European countries ate on average 3.6 kg per head of lamb per year, last year it was just 2.4 kg. Given that in 2008 lamb exports contributed £91 million to the Welsh economy we must not be complacent and that is why I would welcome co-ordinated measures to try to reverse this decline."
EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Mariann Fischer Boel addressed the forum and Mr Bailey used the opportunity to highlight Welsh farmer concerns over Sheep EID and Individual recording and the potential impact that this could have via single farm payment cross compliance penalties.
Speaking to Mrs Fischer Boel, Mr Bailey said, "Welsh sheep farmers have grave concerns about the impact of EID and individual recording based on the evidence of various trials carried out in Wales. It will be totally wrong and unfair for a farmer to be penalised through the single farm payment when he has done his level best to adhere to a regulation clearly not fit for purpose."
Disappointed by her reply, Mr Bailey said, "Unfortunately the Commissioner somewhat sidestepped the question by claiming that the regulation was not part of her remit and came under that of the Health Commissioner. However the SFP cross compliance regime certainly is within her remit and this regulation, whilst an animal health issue, will become a part of cross compliance. I intend to continue to chase this issue of critical concern to Welsh farmers until we can be assured that acceptable tolerance levels are included in inspection protocols."
