Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
In January a formal review into Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) will commence. HCC is the Welsh-Government-owned, but independently operated, agricultural levy body for the red meat sector in Wales. It promotes and markets Welsh meat products both in the UK and overseas, and works to develop improved standards in the red meat agriculture sector in Wales. It does this through training, technology transfer and information provision to farmers and other industry bodies, as well as research and development.
I want this review to evaluate the role and success of HCC in its ability to deliver value for money to the Welsh Government, and to inform decisions about whether HCC should continue with its present functions and form or whether they need to change. The review will have two stages. The first will identify and examine the key functions of HCC and how well it delivers against them. Stage two will look at the recommendations from Stage one and consider how they might best be met.
Stakeholders will be fully involved throughout the process and we will ensure a full cross section of industry representatives, members of the supply chain and stakeholders are engaged.
I have asked Kevin Roberts to carry out this review following his work on the Independent Review into the resilience of farming in Wales in 2013. Kevin already has established links with the industry and knowledge of levy body operations after a long career in the industry with past leading roles in the Meat and Livestock Commission, the Agriculture Development Board and Director General of the NFU.
Kevin’s review report will be published in the summer of 2016.