i) New Chair of Hybu Cig Cymru sets out priorities
Mrs Catherine Smith, recently elected Chair of Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), has set out the Board’s priorities for the next financial year.
The reform of levy monies to be paid to the respective levy board of where the animal was reared rather than slaughtered as part of the UK Agricultural Bill will play a big part in the work of HCC during the next year, although collaborative work between the UK levy bodies will continue.
It will allow for the great work to continue on consumer engagement and brand building to increase the sale of red meat, and promoting the environmental credentials of lamb and beef production in Wales ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow later this year.
ii) Arwain Vet Cymru project leads the way on responsible use of antibiotics
The Arwain Vet Cymru project, launched in November 2019 to train and support a national network of Veterinary Prescribing Champions (VPCs) across Wales to promote the responsible use of antibiotics in livestock, has become the blueprint for a similar UK-wide initiative, Farm Vet Champions.
The two year project in Wales is supported by Welsh Government and funded by the Rural Development programme to work towards the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Animals and the Environment Implementation Plan (2019-2024). To date, 39 VPCs who undertake farm work have enrolled onto the project with 37 having already created bespoke antibiotic action plans.
iii) New CEO at British Wool
The Board of British Wool has recently appointed their Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Hogley, as permanent CEO.
Mr Hogley stepped up as Acting CEO in November of 2020 from Director of Wool Sales and Producer Services at British Wool. British Wool will continue to face many challenges as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic which saw a collapse in the global wool market and farmers receiving no more than 17 pence per kilogram for their wool.