The Welsh farming industry is facing a potential crisis if something is not done over beef prices, two prominent Welsh Liberal Democrat MPs have warned.
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams and MP Roger Williams have expressed concern over the dropping beef prices and want more to be done to help farmers affected by the crisis. Beef prices have plummeted from 80p/kg to 312p/kg, while prices for lamb has also been hit, dropping from 520p/kg to 380p/kg deadweight.
Roger Williams said: ““This drop in prices has shaken the confidence of the whole beef supply chain. As retailers and meat processing plants increase their margins, and as import levels rise, both farmers and consumers are feeling the pinch. Unless farmers are paid a decent price for their meat, sheep flocks and cattle herds will decrease and Supermarkets’ access to the best Welsh meat will be reduced.”