§ 8. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans his Department has to promote the export of rare Welsh cattle breeds; and if he will make a statement. [18729]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Gwilym Jones)That matter is essentially for the industry, but the Welsh Office is able to help via the market development scheme.
§ Mr. FabricantIs my hon. Friend as concerned as I am that, whereas many Scottish breeds are well recognised in England and in other countries in Europe, the Welsh Black—which is more lean, tender, succulent and tasty than any Scottish breed of cattle—is not? Why is my hon. Friend's Department not doing more to promote the Welsh Black in Europe? Perhaps the first thing that he could do is to have it on the menu of the restaurants in the House.
§ Mr. JonesI thank my hon. Friend for his most helpful suggestions, particularly the latter. I assure him that we are already very active. Welsh Beef Promotion was recently established to undertake such work. Apart from the menus of this place, a group of west Wales producers has combined to sell Welsh beef to London restaurants, and the beef is rightly commanding a premium price.