The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (02 September) written to the Welsh Government to call for better training and funding support to improve the shelf life of Welsh lamb.  

The Shadow Minister's letter comes during Love Lamb Week, which runs from the 1st to 7th September 2020. Despite a small improvement in shelf life reported by Hybu Cig Cymru earlier this year from around 21 days to 33 days, New Zealand remains the global standard with a shelf life of over 60 days for vacuum packed chilled lamb and up to 110 days for CO2 gas flushed lamb. Its widely accepted that an improvement in shelf life will improve global demand for the product.

Commenting on her letter, Janet said:  

“This love lamb week, I am seeking an explicit commitment from the Welsh Government to support the extending of shelf life for Welsh lamb so that this delicious, nutritious, and versatile product can be internationally competitive. 

“Successfully achieving a long shelf life depends on having clean and hygienic practices throughout the supply chain, as well as good temperature control once the animal has been slaughtered. 

"But for this to come to fruition, in both an expedient and time-limited manner, better channels of funding and training support must be offered by the Welsh Government.

“This iconic Welsh product has special characteristics that cannot be replicated anywhere else. It’s a fantastic and sustainable product, which contributes considerably to the estimated £690 million red-meat industry in Wales. 

“By actively working to extend the shelf life of Welsh lamb, we would be sending a powerful signal of support for this quintessential Welsh product which has Protected Geographical Indication status, helping to increase exports which would greatly benefit our rural communities." 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

• Please find a copy of the Shadow Minister’s letter to the Welsh Government, attached.