Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has welcomed the launch of a new £3.3million project to support the dairy industry in Wales to improve the efficiency, sustainability and added value of the dairy supply chain, which is a move Mick called for last year following the crash of Dairy Farmers of Britain.
The ‘Dairy Supply Chain Efficiencies Project’ has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
Commenting Mr Bates said:
“I warmly welcome this £3.3million project to support the dairy sector in Wales and am delighted that the Minister has recognised the need to take strong action to secure this key industry for the future.
“Last year I highlighted the plight of the dairy sector in the Assembly, only to be told that the industry was in ‘robust health’ and much stronger than before. I wrote to the Minister urging her to conduct an urgent review of the profitability of the dairy sector and to offer all support possible.
“In light of the Dairy Co report, ‘Ensuring a sustainable dairy supply chain’, I wrote to the Minister to ask what assessment had been made of the success so far of the Strategic Action Plan for the Welsh Dairy Industry in identifying and encouraging ways in which all levels of the dairy chain can work together to respond to the challenges currently facing this industry.
“I am delighted that these calls have been answered with the launch of this £3.3m Dairy Supply Chain Efficiencies Project, to improve the efficiency, sustainability and added value of the dairy supply chain and to assist those involved at all levels of the supply chain to work together and identify the most effective ways of working.
“For too long dairy farmers in Wales have been treated unfairly, with too much money lost between the farmgate and the price consumers pay for the produce. I hope this project will provide the catalyst for all tiers of the dairy chain to re-evaluate their priorities and help develop a sustainable Welsh dairy industry for the future.”
