Beef (Hansard, 30 March 1999)

Mr. Jon Owen Jones

Beef is a vital part of the livestock industry in Wales and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has taken a number of measures to promote quality beef produced by our farmers. A Welsh Agri-Food Action Plan for the Lamb and Beef sector, drawn up by the industry, was launched on 8 March with the support of the Welsh Office and the WDA.

The Plan sets out to strengthen the image of Welsh beef as an extensively-reared grass-fed product; develop export markets and niche markets; develop stronger marketing arrangements through the marketing support that is available through the Welsh Development Agency and Welsh Lamb and Beef Promotions; build a bigger stake for farmers in the supply chain; develop added value processing; encourage livestock markets to re-appraise their position and plan for the future; develop farm and supply chain certification as the market demands that assurance schemes are necessary throughout the supply chain.

In addition, the Welsh Office is supporting projects to promote quality beef from Wales: ADAS—Welsh Beef Industry Viability Project—this project aims to assist beef production systems and promote quality through concentrating on farm assurance, efficient production, traceability, marketing and the establishment of producer groups. The total project cost is some £1.2 million over a period of four years; Welsh Development Agency—Promotion and Marketing of Welsh Beef—the objective of this project is to stimulate consumer demand for Welsh beef through a strategic marketing and promotional campaign. The total project cost is some £0.821 million; and Welsh Black Cattle Society—Improving quality and marketing of Welsh Black Cattle. The total project cost is £0.490 million.

In future, following the transfer of functions, this issue will be a matter for the Assembly.