A new market for Pembrokeshire-produced Welsh Black beef is being created in west Wales.

Pedigree beef breeder Enzo Sauro is so confident in the market for Welsh Black meat that he is investing £1.5 million from his own pocket in a new dedicated abattoir.

"There is a huge market out there for Welsh Black meat. As an industry we need to be pro-active to get the best returns,'' said Mr Sauro.

The abattoir at Cross Hands will have the capacity to deal with 50 tonnes of meat every week, sourcing supplies from across Britain, including Pembrokeshire, a stronghold for the breed.

Ironically, Mr Sauro made his money from construction and will use his own team of builders to erect the abattoir at Cross Hands, five miles from his 240-acre farm at Pontyberem.

In addition to his own funding, he has also applied for a National Assembly grant. He will start building once that funding has been approved.

Mr Sauro's vision for the project was borne from the frustration he shared with other Welsh Black breeders that the best meat was getting lost in the food chain, denying farmers valuable premiums.

The abattoir has the support of livestock farmers. "The feedback suggests that this abattoir is something the industry has waited 30 years for,'' he said.

Welsh Black beef is currently commanding a premium of 10% above the weekly average, money which Mr Sauro insisted would be passed directly back to his farmer suppliers.

The abattoir, which will be up and running this year, will also handle other quality meat.

Eventually, though, it could deal exclusively with Welsh Black meat.