Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans has today provided an update on progress of our action plan for the food and drink industry to map out the delivery of our priorities.
A year since we launched Towards Sustainable Growth, the Deputy Minister today outlined some actions taken to date across five priority areas to achieve sustainable growth in the food and drinks industry in Wales.
The update included the significant work underway to redefine the Bwyd a Diod Cymru Identity, which will encompass the diversity of the food industry and will champion and celebrate the Welsh language. We have also launched the new Food and Drink Wales website, to improve two way communications with industry, as well as the Food Tourism Action Plan for Wales which will result in much closer working between Food Division, Visit Wales and external partners to create opportunities for food producers and tourism businesses alike.
She said, “The plan has been, and continues to be, about action. It is predicated on partnership between government and industry. We are a pro-business government, working closely with companies to create growth and jobs in every part of Wales and we established an overarching and challenging target of 30% growth in sales by 2020 and we are on course to achieve this target.
The latest priority sector statistics for farming and food reported £5.8bn turnover which means that we have already achieved 11.5% growth since 2012-13.
The vision detailed in the plan is one of green growth where businesses are the custodians of our natural resources, developing productive and profitable businesses that are both environmentally and socially responsible, and producing quality safe food to secure improvements in the health and vitality of the people of Wales.
The Minister also used the opportunity to announce the new members of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, another key commitment.
“I am pleased to announce today that following many applicants and a rigorous assessment process we have full membership to the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board.
“They are the voice of the industry, the voice for businesses of all sizes and the voice for the supply chain. It is vital that a shared responsibility is developed between Government and industry and this is where I see the Board playing a major part.”
Food and Drink Wales Industry Board Members:
- Justine Sarah Fosh, Improve,
- Buster Grant, Brecon Brewing,
- David Lloyd, ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre,
- Katie Palmer, Sustainable Food Cardiff,
- Norma Barry, InsideOut Organisational Solutions,
- Annitta Engel, D.B.G.E Limited,
- Catherine Fookes, Organic Trade Board,
- Alison Lea-Wilson, Halen Môn,
- Llior Radford, Llaeth y Llan,
- Andy Richardson, Volac,
- Justin Scale, Capstone Organic,
- Marcus Sherreard, Dawn Meats,
- Huw Thomas, Puffin Produce
- James Wilson, Welsh Fishermen’s Association.
She thanked the interim Chair, Robin Jones, from Village Bakery, who is now stepping down from the role.
“Robin was appointed to guide the Board through its establishment and he has dedicated himself to this whilst leading his own company through significant expansion. Under Robin’s direction, we have established the Board and begun the important work of providing the food and drink industry in Wales with a dynamic, industry-driven voice which I believe will help deliver a new era of opportunity, growth and success.”