Speaking following the launch of the Welsh Government’s ‘An Action Plan for the Food and Drink Industry 2014–2020’ this week, William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, has stressed the importance of making the right appointments to the new Food and Drink Wales Industry Board.
This will ensure the widest possible representation across the Food & Drink sector so as to maximise its potential for success.
William Powell AM, Mid and West Wales, said:
“It is clear from the ambitious Action Plan that the new Food and Drink Wales Industry Board is going to play a central role in making the Action Plan a success.
“That is why it is essential that the appointments made over the summer are genuinely representative of the Welsh food and drink sector in the widest possible sense. They must not simply be a collection of insiders and usual suspects.
”I strongly agree with John Davies of NFU Cymru when he argues that we need an approach that is innovative and less risk averse than hitherto. Bord Bia, the Irish Government’s equivalent body, has adopted this approach – and the Irish Food & Drink sector has harvested the benefits over the last 4 years.
”The Welsh Government must learn the lessons of the appointments made last year to the board of Natural Resources Wales. In that instance, there was a clear failure to ensure representation for all key sectors. Agriculture and forestry were the big losers. This error must not be repeated.
“I have no doubt that everybody involved wants this new Industry Board to be a success. As such it is critical that the correct decisions are made now to best enable this to happen.”
Simon Buckley, Managing Director of Evan Evans Brewery, added:
“I am delighted to see the Welsh Government pushing this new initiative. I hope that senior brewers will be invited to join the board. Tourism is one of Wales’ biggest employers and we must get a fair call and have experienced business leaders in the drinks sector representing us.”
