Llandeilo brewer welcomes report
Simon Buckley, chief executive of the Evan-Evans Brewery in Llandeilo, has warmly welcomed the publication of the latest Welsh Assembly Government report into the wine, beer and cider industry in Wales today.
Mr Buckley said: “As one of the leading independent brewers in Wales, I was happy to give evidence to the sub-committee which was charged with producing the report.
“I am glad they have been able to report so quickly and I welcome the draft recommendations I have seen in the advance publicity.
“Evan-Evans Brewery fully supports the Welsh Assembly’s initiatives contained within the report and we earnestly hope it will help the wine, beer and cider industry in Wales.
“As an award-winning brewery which prides itself on producing quality brands, we look forward to working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government as they move to adopt the recommendations of the report.”
Mr Buckley, 52, is a sixth generation member of the Llanelli’s world-famous Buckley brewing family. His brewery in Llandeilo picked up a Gold True Taste of Wales award in November for its famous Cwrw cask ale brand.
PRESS RELEASE FROM WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT BELOW
Strategy needed to exploit potential of wine beer and cider industry in Wales
A dedicated strategy is needed to exploit the economic potential of the wine beer and cider industry in Wales, according to a report published today (8 July) by the National Assembly’s cross-party Rural Development Sub-Committee.
The report states that while there is support available from the Welsh Government for people involved in the sector, it is hampered by a lack of Government expertise in the area and the absence of a co-ordinated strategy for developing and promoting it.
It calls for clearer direction and guidance for people wanting to get involved in the industry - including farmers wishing to diversify into growing crops for the brewing industry or apples for cider makers.
Video link http://www.senedd.tv/archiveplayer.jsf?v=en_900001_06_07_2010&t=0
The report cites New Zealand’s thriving wine industry as a positive example of what can be achieved in a region with a climate not unlike Wales.
It also highlights the need for the reform of beer ties, which have created a virtual monopoly over beer sales in some establishments by preventing locally-brewed beers from being stocked.
“The key message that this inquiry has highlighted is that what is potentially an extremely lucrative industry for Wales is hugely under-developed and in need of direction,” said Committee Chair Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM.
“We only have to look to the example of whisky in Scotland and Guinness and Baileys in Ireland to see the economic impact a well-marketed drinks industry with a strong national identity can have. The Committee found that the wine, beer and cider industries have the potential to make a similar contribution in Wales, with the right support and marketing.
“The committee felt that the development of a dedicated strategy for the industry by the Welsh Government’s Food and Market Development Division would go a long way to achieving this.
“This, along with more effective cooperation and support for people involved in or wishing to enter the industry could result in Wales becoming a key player in this important sector.”
Notes to editors:-
The report will be officially launched at an event on the Oriel in the Senedd at 12.15pm on Thursday 8 July. Any media wishing to attend or wanting interviews with the committee chair should contact the National Assembly for Wales’s Press Office on 02920 898 171.
Other recommendations of the report include:
• The Welsh Government should seek to learn from examples elsewhere, such as the New Zealand wine industry, where massive growth has been achieved over a short period of time, to learn lessons about how the sector in Wales can be developed to its full potential.
• The Welsh Government should work with Welsh brewers to design a marketing campaign to promote an image of Wales as a country of small breweries producing quality beer, making Welsh beer a recognised quality product both in Wales and across the UK.
• The Welsh Government should support research into the potential of barley and hop cultivation in Wales, and work with the Welsh brewing industry to support the development of these crops in Wales with a view to giving Welsh beer products a stronger local provenance, and its contribution to Welsh agriculture.
• The Welsh Government should encourage maximum uptake by farmers of funding through the Glastir scheme to support the planting of orchards so that all Welsh cider makers are able to source their apples from Wales.
• The Welsh Government should ensure that it is fully involved in any discussions at the UK level regarding the potential introduction of a minimum price for alcohol. The Welsh Government should liaise with industry bodies in Wales and ensure that their views are taken into consideration by the UK Government.
Mr Buckley said: “As one of the leading independent brewers in Wales, I was happy to give evidence to the sub-committee which was charged with producing the report.
“I am glad they have been able to report so quickly and I welcome the draft recommendations I have seen in the advance publicity.
“Evan-Evans Brewery fully supports the Welsh Assembly’s initiatives contained within the report and we earnestly hope it will help the wine, beer and cider industry in Wales.
“As an award-winning brewery which prides itself on producing quality brands, we look forward to working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government as they move to adopt the recommendations of the report.”
Mr Buckley, 52, is a sixth generation member of the Llanelli’s world-famous Buckley brewing family. His brewery in Llandeilo picked up a Gold True Taste of Wales award in November for its famous Cwrw cask ale brand.
PRESS RELEASE FROM WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT BELOW
Strategy needed to exploit potential of wine beer and cider industry in Wales
A dedicated strategy is needed to exploit the economic potential of the wine beer and cider industry in Wales, according to a report published today (8 July) by the National Assembly’s cross-party Rural Development Sub-Committee.
The report states that while there is support available from the Welsh Government for people involved in the sector, it is hampered by a lack of Government expertise in the area and the absence of a co-ordinated strategy for developing and promoting it.
It calls for clearer direction and guidance for people wanting to get involved in the industry - including farmers wishing to diversify into growing crops for the brewing industry or apples for cider makers.
Video link http://www.senedd.tv/archiveplayer.jsf?v=en_900001_06_07_2010&t=0
The report cites New Zealand’s thriving wine industry as a positive example of what can be achieved in a region with a climate not unlike Wales.
It also highlights the need for the reform of beer ties, which have created a virtual monopoly over beer sales in some establishments by preventing locally-brewed beers from being stocked.
“The key message that this inquiry has highlighted is that what is potentially an extremely lucrative industry for Wales is hugely under-developed and in need of direction,” said Committee Chair Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM.
“We only have to look to the example of whisky in Scotland and Guinness and Baileys in Ireland to see the economic impact a well-marketed drinks industry with a strong national identity can have. The Committee found that the wine, beer and cider industries have the potential to make a similar contribution in Wales, with the right support and marketing.
“The committee felt that the development of a dedicated strategy for the industry by the Welsh Government’s Food and Market Development Division would go a long way to achieving this.
“This, along with more effective cooperation and support for people involved in or wishing to enter the industry could result in Wales becoming a key player in this important sector.”
Notes to editors:-
The report will be officially launched at an event on the Oriel in the Senedd at 12.15pm on Thursday 8 July. Any media wishing to attend or wanting interviews with the committee chair should contact the National Assembly for Wales’s Press Office on 02920 898 171.
Other recommendations of the report include:
• The Welsh Government should seek to learn from examples elsewhere, such as the New Zealand wine industry, where massive growth has been achieved over a short period of time, to learn lessons about how the sector in Wales can be developed to its full potential.
• The Welsh Government should work with Welsh brewers to design a marketing campaign to promote an image of Wales as a country of small breweries producing quality beer, making Welsh beer a recognised quality product both in Wales and across the UK.
• The Welsh Government should support research into the potential of barley and hop cultivation in Wales, and work with the Welsh brewing industry to support the development of these crops in Wales with a view to giving Welsh beer products a stronger local provenance, and its contribution to Welsh agriculture.
• The Welsh Government should encourage maximum uptake by farmers of funding through the Glastir scheme to support the planting of orchards so that all Welsh cider makers are able to source their apples from Wales.
• The Welsh Government should ensure that it is fully involved in any discussions at the UK level regarding the potential introduction of a minimum price for alcohol. The Welsh Government should liaise with industry bodies in Wales and ensure that their views are taken into consideration by the UK Government.
Comments