NSA Sheep Centre at the Royal Welsh Show 2015

Date: 20th July 2015 - 23rd July 2015

Much NSA activity this week focussed around the Royal Welsh Show, which ran from Monday to Thursday in very acceptable temperatures and conditions. Rebecca Evans, Wales’s Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, was there throughout and involved in many forums and seminars, and as well as being seen out and about, she paid a visit to the NSA stand on Wednesday morning. Other dignitaries included EU Farm Commissioner Phil Hogan, Secretary of State Liz Truss and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, reports: “The Royal Welsh was, as usual, an incredible event and the NSA’s involvement clearly contributed substantially. Our stand, at the head of the NSA building which hosted some 80 trade and breed stands (ably organised by NSA Cymru/Wales Region Development Officer Helen Davies) being a hive of activity for the duration. A highlight for us was an organised visit to the NSA stand by Rebecca Evans, where we talked through the frustration of lamb prices and practical plans for improved biosecurity on sheep farms, before giving her a guided tour around a number of stands within our building.There are always a few unexpected happenings at the Royal Welsh and one of mine for this show included an unplanned (but useful) chat with EU Commissioner Phil Hogan in the gents toilet! Another was being invited to take part in judging a lamb tasting award, where I ate nearly all of 10 lamb cutlets in an hour before being invited to the sponsors’ lunch where we had lamb for dinner – the average consumption of 2.7kg lamb per head per year is pathetic by these standards!” Also at this year’s show:-

  • NSA hosted a number of visitors over the four days. Pictured above is NSA and NSA Cymru/Wales Region hosting (from top left to bottom right) Farming Minister Rebecca Evans, a trade envoy group from Kazakstan, the Royal Welsh Show Lady Ambassador and her assistant, and the Royal Welsh Show’s Presidents Wife.
  • Paul Wozencraft, NSA Cymru/Wales Region Chairman, met with Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday. Mr Cameron praised ‘booming exports of Welsh Lamb’ and used it as an example of the potential of PGI status for British food.
  • The future of Farming Connect in its knowledge transfer role for Wales was confirmed, ensuring its existence through to 2020.
  • HCC announced its confidence in opening export opportunities to the USA and more countries in the Middle East. It also said EU funding would be used to promote Welsh Lamb in Scandinavia, where good potential has been identified.

 

NSA provides a busy hub for Royal Welsh Week
NSA provides a busy hub for Royal Welsh Week