NFU Cymru reiterates call for red meat levy repatriation after Ag Bill falls
NFU Cymru has reiterated calls for the red meat levy to be sent back to Wales after the Agriculture Bill fell this week.
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It was hoped that an amendment to the Bill, supported by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments, would put an end to the thorny repatriation problem.
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has estimated the Scottish red meat industry loses about £2 million a year because levies are collected at the point of slaughter in England, while Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) calculated Wales misses out on more than £1m.
The Agriculture Bill amendment would have allowed the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in England to collect the levy, then pay a certain amount back to QMS or HCC.
But now the Bill has fallen, the future of the amendment is unclear.
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Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers told MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on September 9 she would be ‘happy to look’ at the issue again when the Bill is reintroduced, but refused to make any firm commitment.
NFU Cymru livestock board chairman Wyn Evans said: “The Agriculture Bill amendment provided the legislative framework for a fairer allocation of the red meat levy to help ensure we have the maximum resource available to support the development, marketing and promotion of the red meat sector in Wales.
“It is vital when a new Agriculture Bill is introduced, it contains similar provisions around repatriation of the red meat levy.”
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