Wales Launches £3.3m Dairy Supply Chain Efficiencies Project
WALES, UK - Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones has launched a new project designed to support the dairy industry in Wales to improve the efficiency, sustainability and added value of the dairy supply chain.
6 July 2010
2 minute read
The Minister launched the £3.3m project during a visit to the Dairy Development Centre at Coleg Sir Gar’s training farm at Gelli Aur near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The investment demonstrates the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to the dairy industry in assisting those involved at various stages along the supply chain to work together to identify more effective ways of operating. This aims to ensure maximum efficiency so that the dairy industry in Wales can compete fully in an increasing competitive global marketplace.
Launching the project, Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said: “I am very pleased to launch the Dairy Sector Supply Chain Efficiency project, which will provide the dairy industry in Wales with the information and learning opportunities required to improve the dairy supply chain in terms of efficiency, sustainability and added value.
“The project has been developed in order to achieve the relevant objectives identified in the Strategic Action Plan for the Welsh Dairy Industry to increase efficiency and to add value to commodity produce in order to gain the maximum advantage.”
The Minister also spoke of the importance of the dairy industry not only to the rural economy but to the social and environmental well-being of everyone in Wales.
She said: “Now is an important time to consider the future of food. As Wales’s Rural Affairs Minister I am keen for Wales to do the best we can to ensure a sustainable food system which meets our economic, environmental and social priorities.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has for some time recognised the importance of the industry and taken steps to offer advice, guidance and where possible financial support. Farming Connect has successfully provided advice on key issues while there has been significant investment through the Rural Development Plan’s Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme – all of which has assisted businesses along the supply chain to take advantage of new technology and expertise to improve their position.
“This project represents a real opportunity for us all to consider how best we can look to develop the dairy industry in Wales.”
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