News

Tesco again lets down lamb producers

Published

12 years ago

October 22, 2013

THE farming unions have this week acknowledged the good work of Aldi and Morrisons in getting 100% British lamb on their shelves, but at the same time, have expressed grave disappointment that the proportion on sale in Tesco stores is as low as 55%.
New trade figures also show M&S and Sainsbury’s all ensured at least 85% of lamb in store carried a Welsh or British labels.
Commenting on the findings, NFU President Peter Kendall said more needs to be done, particularly by Tesco.
He said: “In July, I called upon all retailers to celebrate British lamb as ‘best in season’, putting it front and centre of their displays and really getting behind our sheep farmers.
“It’s great that most appear to be taking that message on board, including Tesco, which has invested in national advertising of UK lamb. However, the results of this survey show there is still an enormous amount of work to do within Tesco to increase their British sourcing.
“It is now seven months since Philip Clarke made bold promises to increase their British sourcing at the NFU Conference, and many hard working sheep farmers will be asking serious questions about whether this was a genuine commitment.
“While we are confident that Tesco is working on plans for the future, it is concerning that their promises to UK agriculture don’t seem to be reflected in current commercial buying behaviour. These figures suggest they are clearly buying less UK lamb than last year, showing that between January and August there has been a 10% drop in the amount of British labels in the Tesco lamb chillers.
“We believe that all parts of the supply chain must work together to ensure a stronger British sheep industry and we know there is scope to increase British sourcing and get more British lamb on more British plates.
“We will continue to hold retailers and other parts of the supply chain to account on both their sourcing and their communications.”
“Many sheep farmers are still rebuilding businesses following the difficult market conditions last year and confidence is fragile, reflected in the low prices for breeding stock seen this year.
“Farmers are relying on strong autumn sales to restore balance sheets and the global supply situation is forecast to remain tight. Every ingredient is there for a successful season and it’s now imperative that agriculture’s biggest customers are all fully behind British lamb.”
Whilst the prices being paid to local lamb producers has been at its lowest the Welsh meat promotions agency (Hybu Cig Cymru -HCC) has reported that there has been encouraging Russian interest in Welsh Lamb at the world’s biggest international food fair Anuga.
The Welsh meat body explained that there had been several “serious enquiries” from Russian companies looking to put Welsh Lamb into their shops.
HCC market development manager Laura Dodds explained: “Welsh Lamb is not only a world-class brand, but is seen as a high-quality premium product, which explains the interest from an increasingly wealthy Russia.
“Identifying new markets is important to ensure the continuing viability of the Welsh red meat industry. Exports can bring the wealth back to Wales, securing 50,000 jobs in the farming and processing industries and boosting the Welsh economy.”

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

6 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.