Latest news with #WelshLamb
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
HCC Launches Annual Welsh Lamb Media Campaign
Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is running its annual multi-media campaign promoting Welsh Lamb to households across Wales and England. In the third installment of the 'Experts in their Field' campaign, HCC is putting Welsh farmers at the forefront of their advertising. Dinas Mawddwy farmers Lisa and Ken Markham feature in HCC's television advert which is running over several months on S4C and Sky channels, whilst Emily Jones from Ceredigion and Ben and Ethan Williams from Cardiff feature in digital aspects of the campaign. An additional 'Expert on the field' has joined the campaign this year in the form of ex-Wales and British Lions rugby player, Jonathan 'Fox' Davies. As well as featuring in social media content, Jonathan also joined HCC on their stand at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year. Speaking about his appointment as a brand ambassador for Welsh Lamb, Jonathan said: 'As a proud Welshman, and someone who loves his food, it's great to be working with Welsh Lamb. I know how important farming heritage is for our rural communities and the role it plays in keeping the economy and communities alive. 'As someone who has travelled a lot through rugby, I've seen the high regard Welsh Lamb is held across the world. With health and fitness also being important to me, I'm looking forward to showing how having a healthy and balanced diet, with food such as Welsh Lamb, doesn't mean having to compromise on quality or taste.' HCC's Brand Engagement Lead, Pip Gill, said: 'Our Expert in their Field campaign has resonated well with audiences across England and Wales and has strengthened perceptions around farming methods in Wales as well as Welsh Lamb as a product. 'We're thrilled to have Jonathan join us as a brand ambassador this year. Like our farmers, Jonathan is an expert in his field and like Welsh Lamb, he has a world-renowned reputation. We are looking forward to working with him over the coming months to promote and champion Welsh Lamb.' Coinciding with when Welsh Lamb is at its peak availability, the campaign is running throughout summer and autumn. Digital advertising across social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin in taking place over the campaign as well as targeted advertising in collaboration with supermarkets stocking Welsh Lamb across England and Wales.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Argentina awards GI status to Scotch
Scotch whisky has become the first international product to receive protected geographical indication (GI) status in Argentina. The GI status, an intellectual property right, is used on products with qualities linked to a specific geographical origin. Other examples include Welsh Lamb and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies. In a statement, the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the GI tag is a legal safeguard that guarantees products branded as Scotch whisky are 'genuine and meet strict production standards', and allow authorities to 'tackle counterfeit products'. Defra added the development underscores the 'increasing global demand for authentic British products overseas'. Defra said the achievement follows six years of efforts with the UK Department for Business and Trade and industry associations. A spokesperson for the Scotch Whisky Association noted the development was "a product of many years' work by the SWA and our counterparts in the market". They added: "However, there remain significant economic challenges in other larger markets – not least here in the UK, and in our biggest market, the US. 'With a 14% increase to spirits duty in two years, excessive EPR fees for glass, and the industry excluded from the Industrial Strategy, Scotch Whisky producers want to see the UK government take more concerted action to reduce the tax and regulatory burden in our home market.' In 2024, GI products constituted about 25% of the UK food and drink exports, valued at over £6bn ($8.2bn) annually, according to Defra. In December, 39 British food and drinks products gained protected status in Japan. Last August, Scotch also received GI status in Brazil. At the time, the government said the decision in Brazil could generate £25m for the industry over the next five years. Apart from combating counterfeit products, it would boost global recognition £and and intellectual property" for Scotch in Brazil's market. In May, India and the UK signed a trade deal reducing tariffs on whisky, gin and soft drinks entering India. Whisky and gin tariffs will be halved to 75% from 150%, eventually falling to 40% by 'year ten' of the deal. India remains the largest export market by volume for Scotch whisky, with over 192 million bottles exported in 2024, a 14.6% increase from the previous year. In terms of value, India ranked fifth for Scotch whisky exports in 2024, with £248m worth of exports sent there last year, up 13.8% on 2023. This embedded content is not available in your region. In 2024, global exports of Scotch whisky declined in value but an increase in volume. Exports by value reached £5.4bn, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2023, according to the data released by Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in February. The Asia-Pacific region was the largest market by value for Scotch exports, amounting to £1.57bn, with notable growth in India and Japan. "Argentina awards GI status to Scotch" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Powys County Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Welsh Government urged to act on massive loss of abattoirs
WALES' diminishing local abattoir infrastructure has been highlighted to the Welsh Government. Several organisations, including the Farmers' Union of Wales have written to the Government raising the critical issue. The letter, addressed to Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, has been co-signed by eight organisations, including Nature Friendly Farming Network, North Wales Wildlife Trust, Pasture for Life, Plantlife Cymru, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, RSPB Cymru, the Sustainable Food Trust and the Farmers' Union of Wales. In 1990 there were 58 red meat abattoirs in Wales, whereas today there are just 15, with nine being small-medium, and five of these being classed as small. Even fewer are able to provide all of the services farmers need to sell directly to local consumers, such as butchering, packaging, processing small numbers of animals, multi-species animals, having organic certification, and the ability to deal with horned animals, or those 'over thirty months' (OTM). This issue puts Welsh farmers' ability to sell and distinguish their products from imports produced to lower environmental and animal welfare standards at risk. All co-signatures of the letter highlighted the role of grazing livestock for the management and enhancement of priority habitats across Wales, from peatlands to salt marshes, species-rich grasslands to heathlands, ffriddoedd and 'Celtic Woodlands'. Farmers' Union of Wales president Ian Rickman said: 'The FUW has been clear that if the Welsh Government wants to promote a 'circular economy' and ensure Welsh produce produced to high environmental standards can be marketed as such, then the abattoir infrastructure is an essential enabler. "The fact that Australian and New Zealand lamb imports have increased by 78 per cent, at the same time that farmers in Wales are struggling to sell their produce locally, makes no sense. "Such a situation undermines the efforts farmers are making to enhance biodiversity, nutritional value, and low carbon produce sold to Welsh consumers, as well as the integrity of Welsh Lamb and Beef's 'Protected Geographical Indication' status. Other issues facing abattoirs include 'animal by-products' which used to represent an income stream for abattoirs and contributed towards a circular economy, which are now an added cost due to disposal charges. Teleri Fielden, Farmers' Union of Wales policy officer added: 'Farmers in Wales are rightfully proud of our high animal welfare standards and the quality of life afforded to many grazing livestock. "While out of the farmers' control, short journeys to slaughter is part of this, as is access to casualty and emergency slaughter services. "However, there is only one slaughterhouse in Wales which has the 'contract' to receive BovineTB reactors, creating lengthy journeys and additional stress to both the animal and the farmer experiencing a bTB breakdown.
Powys County Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Lamb on the menu as Powys school pupils serve up a treat
Primary school pupils from across Powys took centre stage at this year's NSA Welsh Sheep 2025 event by showcasing their culinary creativity and celebrating Welsh lamb. Pupils from Ysgol Mynydd Du in Talgarth, and Archdeacon Griffiths School in Llyswen, travelled to the host farm near Hay-on-Wye, where they participated in a series of interactive cooking sessions. Guided by food professionals, the pupils prepared lamb meatballs using a variety of fresh ingredients including garlic, spinach, onions, chard, kale, and spices. The initiative formed part of a wider collaboration between Powys County Council, NSA Welsh Sheep, and Castell Howell Foods, who generously supplied the lamb for the event. In the lead-up to the event, the participating schools were among four local schools that featured Welsh Lamb on their lunch menus, with roast, boned and rolled legs of lamb served to pupils – highlighting the importance of local, nutritious food in school meals. Cllr Jake Berriman, Leader of Powys County Council, said: 'This venture was a fantastic example of how we can connect our young people with the rich agricultural heritage of Powys while promoting healthy, local food. 'By involving schoolchildren in the preparation and enjoyment of Welsh lamb, we not only supported our local farmers and food producers, but also helped to build a deeper understanding of where our food comes from. "It was a hands-on, memorable experience that brought learning to life and strengthened the ties between our schools, communities, and the rural economy.' Edward Morgan, from Castell Howell Foods, said: 'This was a great opportunity to work with Powys County Council's catering team and promote the NSA event across schools in the area. "Aligning school activities with farming and the supply chain is important, and we were delighted to help bring this event to classrooms.'
