March 14, 2011

Welsh egg producers receive financial boost from government

Egg production in Wales is receiving a financial boost from the government, thanks to new investments being given to major Welsh egg producers.

Two egg producers have benefitted from over GBP72,000 (US$115,442) of aid via the Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG) scheme, funded 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: Europe investing in Rural Areas.

The Abberley Partnership in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, has expanded their business by adding facilities for an additional flock of 12,000 poultry, doubling their output of free-range eggs. GBP27,262 (US$43,711) of PMG funding has helped pay for the purchase and installation of equipment to process an additional 3.2 million eggs a year.

Trewern Isaf Free Range Eggs in Llanrhaeadr Yr Mochnant, Oswestry, has set up a business to produce and package free range eggs. GBP45,643 (US$73,182) of PMG funding has contributed to the installation of a packing room that will enable a hygienic, efficient way to package the eggs, and a 16,000 bird unit, which will produce on average 30,000 dozen eggs per month.

Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: "The processing and marketing grant scheme is an effective way of supporting companies like these who are important to the economy of Wales. In providing this support we are building and sustaining competitive, profitable, and sustainable farming and food industries that are of benefit to the rural communities, the economy and the people of Wales."

The Welsh Assembly Government is also on target to become fully compliant with the EU Directive for laying hens from 1 January 2012. Jones said: "In Wales we are clear about the importance of this ban to improve the welfare of laying hens. But it is also important that the ban comes into force on the date as planned."

"Thanks to the hard work and co-operation of poultry keepers in Wales, we are on target to be fully compliant in Wales by 2012, and believe that all EU countries should be working towards this date as well," he said.