Food and Drink Wales Industry Board: update from Alison Harvey (February 2025)

Alison Harvey joins Food and Drink Wales industry board

I am a sheep farmers daughter from Ceredigion. I have followed my interest and passions for agriculture and food from 6 years of age, when we moved to the farm.

These passions have directed me through University at Harper Adams to study Agri Food Marketing and Business and then to various roles within the agri-food supply chain.  My on-farm practical experience keeps me grounded. I have however also spent 15 years working in the Welsh red meat supply chain with Dunbia where I gained valuable experience in working with retail customers and farmers. I thoroughly enjoyed this and felt very proud to be representing farmers to retailers, and vice versa. 

I have inherited my interest in agriculture (sheep in particular) from my Dad, and my interest in cooking and eating good food from Mam, who was a home economics teacher. The farm is a family business and has taught me the value of people and community as well as the importance of continuing to learn and develop.

My current role is Agri Supply Chain Advisor at Rural Advisor.  I have been in this role for nearly three years, it has been a change of direction but, at the same time, very rewarding.  Part of the role is business planning and marketing for rural businesses.

My reason for applying for a place on the Food and Drink Industry Board is my genuine interest in the whole food supply chain and the belief that Welsh Food and Drink really punches above its weight, and I want this to continue.  It is a case of putting myself forward to represent what I believe in.

Welsh Agriculture is facing various uncertainties, however, the current value of red meat products from Wales is encouraging.  Maintaining markets, momentum and ensuring continued volume of supply are key areas to target and are critical for the future of our industry in Wales.

Welsh Food and drink is incredibly valuable to the Welsh economy as is Welsh agriculture.

My approach to challenges is to find common ground, and work collaboratively with groups, businesses and/or companies for the good of the food sector in Wales. I am interested to learn more about food and drink businesses in Wales and how all parts of the industry can  work together more.

My experience of the being on the board to date has been incredibly interesting and has provided me with opportunities of meeting colleagues with varied experiences. I have also been able to visit sites we have in Wales that support the development of new food businesses in Wales, whether it be on regulations or new product development and everything in between. 

I was very pleased that the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs , Huw Irranca Davies was able to meet with us at our last meeting to give his views on how he would like the board to work with Welsh Government. I was also impressed with the amount of time he gave to listen to each of us on the board, and to understand what challenges we each saw for our ‘areas’. He also discussed how we could positively influence these challenges.  It is important not to just criticise, but to table solutions for discussion.

I believe in effective marketing for our industry, but also strengthening this marketing with salient facts.  The use of validated case studies is important for the integrity of our brand on a national, and international platform, moving forward.

Representing Welsh Red Meat is something I take great pride in, and I am committed to doing this well by communicating with the wider industry on a regular basis.  If anybody would like to contact me about this for further discussion, I am more than happy to do so.