MS Joins NFU Cymru at event to Celebrate Welsh Beef
The Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, attended an event organised by NFU Cymru last Friday at Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias, on the Colwyn Bay promenade.
The event included a menu prepared by chef Bryn Williams, featuring a range of Welsh beef dishes alongside desserts made using local dairy produce. The aim was to showcase Welsh food produce while marking the launch of NFU Cymru’s report Welsh Suckler Beef Production: Addressing Decline and Securing a Sustainable Future.
According to the report, Wales is home to around 6,000 suckler cow herds, contributing an estimated £390 million to the Welsh economy and accounting for approximately 18.6% of total agricultural output. However, the number of suckler herds has declined significantly over the past two decades, falling from 10,816 in 2004 to 6,595 in 2023. The report identifies rising production costs, narrow profit margins, bovine TB, and regulatory pressures as ongoing challenges for producers, particularly smaller family-run farms. It also notes that demand for Welsh beef remains strong, despite increasing levels of UK beef imports.
NFU Cymru has previously raised concerns about the impact of policy and regulatory requirements on farming businesses in Wales, stating that these factors have added complexity and financial pressure for the sector.
Ms Finch-Saunders has spoken publicly in support of farmers in her Aberconwy constituency and has called for changes to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme, including reduced regulation and greater emphasis on food production and self-sufficiency.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Aberconwy, said:
“I was delighted to be invited by NFU Cymru to join them in celebrating the outstanding Welsh Beef and local produce prepared by the hugely talented chef Bryn Williams at his renowned restaurant.
It was insightful to hear from NFU Cymru leaders and the farmers themselves, and to learn first-hand about the dedication and hard work that goes into producing some of the best food in the world.
I have always stood firmly behind farmers in Wales and understand the vital role they play in our country. The Welsh Government must stop making their lives harder than they need to be with too much red tape and instead work side by side with them, giving the support they need to continue this essential work for generations to come.”
