Farming

FUW welcomes Aldi announcement

Published

8 years ago

October 21, 2016

(L-R): Aldi’s Buying Director, Will Barstow; FUW Managing Director Alan Davies; FUW Glamorgan County Chairman Ritchie Walker; Environment and Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths; NFU Cymru’s Jonathan Huntley and Wyn Evans

THE ANNOUNCEMENT made by retailer Aldi to introduce PGI branded Welsh Lamb products in 29 stores in South and West Wales has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales, but the Union says more commitment is needed.

The FUW has long urged supermarkets to commit to the procurement of Welsh and British lamb and beef, as well as dairy products, and to ensure prices paid by suppliers or through direct contracts are such that confidence is revived to the extent which is now needed.

FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, who attended the official launch of the product lines on Thursday, October 13 in Cardiff, said: “It is great news that Aldi is joining a wide range of retailers who have already made a commitment to sourcing Welsh PGI lamb and beef. However, we need that commitment to be extended to all retailers, across all stores and producers need to get paid a fair price with fair contracts.

“What is worth noting as well is that we have a huge market here at home for our produce – in light of our exit from the EU, we must make every effort to promote Welsh lamb, beef and dairy products to our home consumers, who offer an addition to export markets.

“The commitment made by Aldi should also serve as a reminder to the Welsh and UK Government to start planning for more sustainable and supportive public procurement policies. Our schools, hospitals, armed forces and all other public services deserve access to the top quality produce that we grow here in Wales, and our farmers and rural economies deserve recognition for what they produce.”

Alan Davies added: “I am renewing our call for immediate action to initiate draft legislation which will mandate the procurement of British produce by the UK public sector and urge those supermarkets and food-outlets who have not made the commitment to British and Welsh produce to do so without delay. This will support rather than spite the sectors which lie at the heart of our rural economies.”

Wyn Evans, NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman, said: “This commitment by Aldi to stock PGI Welsh Lamb is very welcome news for the livestock sector in a time of uncertainty ahead of Brexit negotiations. We know we have a great product and story to tell and that our PGI Welsh lamb is the best in the world, so it is encouraging that Aldi has recognised this quality.

“Hopefully this will be the start of a long term relationship between the retailer and Welsh lamb producers and we must aim to build on this positive relationship long into the future.”

Will Barstow, Fresh Meat Buying Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are delighted to be introducing five new Welsh lamb products to our existing fresh lamb category as part of our commitment to farmers and local sourcing. Fresh lamb is a versatile product that can be used all year round and we are confident that the new lines will prove popular with shoppers at our stores in south Wales.

“It’s vital for the Welsh red meat industry that our produce is available in all sectors of the retail industry and Aldi’s market segment has seen remarkable growth, especially in Wales where market share is now over 10%,” explained HCC’s Communications Lead Owen Roberts. “Statistics from market research specialists Kantar Worldpanel show the volume of lamb sold by Aldi increased by nearly 14% over the past year and increasing numbers of their consumers are buying more fresh produce.

“HCC works in partnership, and is in regular dialogue with, all UK retailers and many took part in the summer 2016 HCC-led Welsh lamb campaign. Aldi now joins other multiple retailers like Asda, Co-op, J. Sainsbury, M&S, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose in stocking branded PGI Welsh lamb products,” said Owen. “In addition, quality Welsh Lamb products are also available in many independent retailers and at over 300 members of HCC’s Butchers’ Club,” he added.

Many multiple retailers were emphasising their commitment to quality local produce in their advertising. “This resonates with research carried out by HCC at supermarkets over the summer, which showed that nearly 80% of shoppers were keen to buy more Welsh goods. Welsh lamb is an iconic product whose quality reflects the outstanding natural environment in which it is produced,” said Owen.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Food and drink is a Welsh success story with Welsh lamb at the forefront of our range. I am grateful to Hybu Cig Cymru for all of the work it has carried out to promote this iconic Welsh product.

“I am delighted Aldi will stock premium Welsh lamb in 29 of its stores in South and West Wales. I’m sure it will prove to be hugely popular with customers. Hopefully, this will encourage Aldi to extend the initiative to more of its stores nationwide, which would provide a significant boost to the Welsh lamb trade.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.