As the largest processor of lamb in the UK, Dunbia has had the privilege of hosting the United States Department of Agriculture on a fact finding mission to Wales.
Mr Stan Phillips, Agricultural Counselor, USDA and Mr Steve Knight, Agricultural Specialist, USDA visited Dunbia’s factory at Llanybydder where Paul Edwards, MD Dunbia Wales provided a tour of facilities which are among the most technologically advanced in Europe. During the tour, Mr Phillips remarked that “The technology at the LLanybydder Dunbia plant is very impressive.”
Discussions around access to the US market for prime Welsh lamb were held during which Mr Phillips noted: “Our technical experts still have a lot of work to do, but there have been a couple of major steps forward since March in establishing access to the U.S. market for UK lamb, and TTIP could make Welsh lamb more competitive with Australian and New Zealand lamb in the U.S. market.”
Mr Jim Dobson, Dunbia Group Chief Executive welcomed the visitors to Dunbia Llanybydder: “Dunbia is committed to establishing new global markets for Welsh Lamb. We are delighted to welcome Mr Phillips and Mr Knight from USDA to Dunbia to help showcase the Welsh lamb industry to key players in the United States Department of Agriculture. Opening any new market is a slow process but developing strong relationships is vital. We will continue to work with and for the Welsh Lamb industry and look forward to seeing Welsh lamb on the shelves of American supermarkets in the future.”
Following the visit to Dunbia, Mr Phillips and Mr Knight enjoyed farm visits to view the on farm production of Welsh lamb in association with Welsh Government officials. Huw and Sheila Davies, who supply National Trust Dolaucothi lamb into the Llanybydder plant hosted the USDA and Welsh Government officials at their Cothi Valley farm.
