From Farm to Fork - National Assembly Committee wants public views on production and promotion of food in Wales

The National Assembly’s Rural Development Sub-Committee is undertaking a comprehensive inquiry into the production and promotion of Welsh food, from its production through to its consumption.

In order to gain a comprehensive view of the effectiveness of Welsh Assembly Government initiatives in stimulating the growth of the agri-food sector in Wales, the Committee wishes to hear from those directly involved in the sector. This includes producers and the trade, processors, those involved in the promotion and marketing of Welsh food products, retailers and consumers.

The Committee will hold its first meeting on this subject on Thursday 15 January, starting with a scene setting session by Professors Kevin Morgan and Terry Marsden of Cardiff University on the agri-food sector in Wales. This will be followed by a round table discussion on the main issues with representatives from across the agri-food sector in Wales and the Committee. The aim of this session will be to hear what the main issues facing the industry are, and areas that the Committee should be considering as part of their inquiry.

Alun Davies AM, Chair of the Rural Development Sub Committee said: “The Rural Development Sub-Committee is undertaking a wholesale review of the Welsh agri-food sector. At a time of economic constraint, especially for small businesses, it is important that the National Assembly assesses the success of Welsh Assembly Government initiatives in this area to date and also evaluates the appropriateness of the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposals for the future of the sector.

“The inquiry aims to look at the process “from farm to fork” to ensure that opportunities are maximised at every step of the food supply chain in Wales.”

The National Assembly Committee is therefore keen to hear from interested parties on the efficacy of agri-food sectoral strategies, marketing initiatives such as True Taste; challenges and opportunities facing the sector and examples of best practice.

Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence to the Committee by no later than 13 February 2009 at Sustainability.comm@Wales.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to Eds

Further information about the Rural Development Sub-Committee inquiry

Standards of Conduct can also be found on the Assembly’s website

Interested parties are invited to submit written evidence to Claire Morris , Committee Service, The National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF99 1NA, to arrive no later than 13 February 2009. If possible, please supply an electronic version in MS Word or Rich Text format, either by e mail to Sustainability.comm@Wales.gsi.gov.uk

The Committee may call on those who have submitted written evidence to supplement it in oral evidence to the Committee. Please indicate in your response whether you would be prepared to give evidence in person.

Witnesses should be aware that once written evidence has been submitted to the Committee it is treated as the property of the Committee. It is the Committee’s intention to place written papers on its website, and they may subsequently be printed with the report.