WALES’ first ever conference focusing on sustainability in the food and drink industry will be held on Wednesday 3 July 2024 at the All Nations Centre, Cardiff and will be open to all food and drink businesses and professionals in Wales.

The Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Conference, which is being delivered by the Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Cluster, in collaboration with the Food & Drink Wales Insight Programme, will help businesses improve their sustainability in areas that matter most to consumers.

Using an interactive mix of activities and networking opportunities, the event aims to increase business knowledge across market insights, consumer trends, and buyer Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The event will also demonstrate how Welsh Government is working to enhance the environmental performance of the food and drink industry and to highlight the successes of businesses in improving their sustainability.

The conference will also offer the opportunity to take part in the Carbon Reduction Plan Pilot Programme, designed to support business baseline their carbon emissions and develop actionable carbon reduction plans.

Mark Grant, Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Cluster Lead, who is organising the conference, said: “We are thrilled to launch the first Sustainability Conference in Wales. We have many great speakers with extensive knowledge and experience in the industry joining us, so it promises to be a beneficial event for all food and drink businesses and professionals in Wales. It will be a great chance for the industry to come together at this unique event to discuss and tackle sustainability.”

Supporting and developing sustainable business practices across Wales’ agri-food industry is at the heart of the Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Cluster’s work. Launched in January 2020, it uses the triple helix approach of government, industry and academia working hand in hand to tackle common industry problems.

The Cluster has over 100 producer members, along with 60 government bodies, academic organisations and support organisations including Food Innovation Wales, AMRC Cymru, FareShare, Wrap Cymru, National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) and Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC).

Functioning as a central hub, the Cluster provides intelligence to businesses, becoming the eyes and ears of the industry, developing networks and industry expertise to help Wales become a world leader in sustainability.

The conference is bringing together experts, trade and policymakers to explore the latest consumer insight from Kantar, IGD and The Food People, whilst finding out why sustainability is important to food business and the trade more widely.

Guest speaker Fiona Powell, IGD Head of Sustainability said: “I am delighted to be a part of the Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Conference where I will give an overview of how sustainable packaging is evolving, with some key insights on the current progress of environmental labelling in the UK. This will give the SME delegates insight as to what they can be planning for within their own businesses over the medium term.”

To register for the Food & Drink Wales Sustainability Conference visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainability-conference-2024-cynhadledd-cynaliadwyedd-2024-tickets-918660226467?aff=oddtdtcreator

A WEST WALES company has been fined £75,000 following the death of a 75-year-old man, Huw Evans, who was killed by a cow that had escaped from a livestock market. The incident occurred on November 19, 2022, at Whitland Livestock Market in Carmarthenshire, operated by J.J. Morris Limited.

Father-of-two Mr Evans was crossing the junction at North Road and West Street in Whitland when the cow, which was being auctioned, escaped from the market pen. The animal attacked Mr Evans, knocking him down and trampling him. He suffered multiple injuries and was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales, where he succumbed to his injuries six days later.

A worker from J.J. Morris Limited was also injured during an unsuccessful attempt to recapture the cow. The cow eventually made its way towards Whitland Rugby Club and a railway line before being subdued and put down by Dyfed-Powys Police.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the incident and found that J.J. Morris Limited had failed to implement essential physical control measures to prevent cattle from escaping. The HSE concluded that the company’s risk assessment was inadequate, referencing control measures that were not in place at the market.

J.J. Morris Limited, based in Haverfordwest, admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £5,047.55 in costs by Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 20.

In court, Mr Evans’ son, Dafydd, expressed his grief, saying: “Dad was my best friend, and I miss him terribly. He was taken from us too soon. Losing dad has had a tremendous effect on both myself and my brother. Because of this incident, dad’s grandsons will never fully know him personally, and he will not see them grow up.”

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Rhys Hughes remarked, “This tragic incident was foreseeable and preventable. The risk posed by cattle escaping from the livestock mart should have been identified, and effective control measures implemented. The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance, which is readily accessible and outlines the requirements to safely manage cattle.”

HISTORIC strikes in Port Talbot as Labour vows emergency talks with Tata after general election

Around 1,500 Tata workers based in Port Talbot and Llanwern will begin all-out indefinite strike action over the company’s plans to cut 2,800 jobs and close its blast furnaces.

The strike action, which begins on 8 July, will severely impact Tata’s UK operations. It is the first time in over 40 years that steel workers in the UK have taken strike action.

The escalation in industrial action comes after the workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, began working to rule and an overtime ban on Tuesday (June 17).

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tata’s workers are not just fighting for their jobs – they are fighting for the future of their communities and the future of steel in Wales.

“Our members will not standby while this immensely wealthy conglomerate tries to throw Port Talbot and Llanwern on the scrapheap so it can boost its operations abroad. They know South Wales is ideally placed to take advantage of the coming boom in green steel – if the right choices are made.

“The strikes will go on until Tata halts its disastrous plans. Unite is backing Tata’s workers to the hilt in their historic battle to save the Welsh steel industry and give it the bright future it deserves.”

Labour has called for Tata to halt its plans and wait until after the general election to engage in talks with the government, saying there is a ‘better deal to do’. Labour has pledged £3 billion for UK steel if elected next month, a commitment secured by Unite. Labour has also made emergency talks with Tata a priority if it wins the election.