Farmer jets off on mission to China (From Western Telegraph)

Farmer jets off on mission to China

Pembrokeshire arable producer Meurig Raymond jets off to China this week to win trade for Britains cereal growers.

Mr Raymond chairs British Cereal Products, the marketing arm of the Home Grown Cereals Authority.

He is part of a HGCA and Department of Trade and Industry delegation which will attempt to convince Chinese industry to buy British.

Britain exports eight million tonnes of cereals annually and sees a huge potential for growth in China as the country moves towards westernisation.

We will be building on the promotion put in place over the last couple of years, said Mr Raymond, of Trenewydd, Croesgoch, who will fly to Beijing on Sunday.

During his week-long tour he will meet representatives from supermarkets and breweries in China.

Mr Raymond has been a central figure in the proposal for a central grain storage facility at Pembroke Dock.

A report shows that with 50% funding and a store throughput of 6,000 tonnes, the Pembrokeshire grower could get an extra £5 a tonne from using the store, adding seven per cent to their net returns.

Local producers could also benefit from increased opportunities to grow and store premium malting barley.

A working group with representatives from agriculture, business and the farming unions was set up following positive feedback from local producers.

Growers are being urged to show their commitment to the project by attending an open meeting at the offices of the Milford Haven Port Authority on Monday, November 26th, at 8 pm.