FUW BACKS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE REPORT INTO DAIRY INDUSTRY

The Farmers' Union of Wales today welcomed the Assembly rural development sub-committee's call for a "champion" to boost the dairy industry in Wales.

But the union also expressed bitter disappointment that the conclusions of the sub-committee's inquiry did not deal with the controversial issue of the abolition of milk quotas in 2015.

"We support the wide-ranging recommendations made in this report," said FUW milk committee chairman Eifion Huws, when it was launched at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

"Their conclusions tie in with policies advocated by the FUW for many years, particularly in terms of the equitable distribution of profits along the supply chain and the appointment of an ombudsman.

"However, we are disappointed that, in the current climate where hundreds of thousands of dairy farmers across Europe are protesting against the abolition of milk quotas, this issue has been blanked.

"In evidence to the committee the FUW highlighted the findings of numerous reports that show the abandonment of the quota regime will reduce farm-gate prices and milk production in Wales.

"This is a critical issue for the Welsh dairy industry, and there is a real need for a proper debate on the matter.

"That debate is raging on the continent but it is being largely ignored in Wales and the UK despite its critical importance to the sector."

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NOTE TO EDITORS: A picture of Eifion Huws, a Welsh-speaking Anglesey dairy farmer, is attached.