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T: 01686 625527 / 02920 898342 |
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'...knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens...' (Jimi Hendix) |
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Mick Bates |
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Press Releases 2007 |
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| 2007 |
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Welsh Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson, Mick Bates AM, has called for the establishment of a “Fair Trade” Welsh milk brand following the closure of the Lactalis McLennan cheese factory in Felinfach with the loss of 44 jobs. The factory, which is set to close at the end of March and follows a year after the closure of neighbouring Dairygold factory with the loss of 100 jobs, currently employs forty four staff and has the potential to process up to 100 million litres of milk. Reacting to the news, Mick Bates said, “We are witnessing the demise of processing in West Wales due to the power of the large retailers and is a massive blow, not just to the confidence of the Welsh dairy industry, but also to the community of Aeron Valley.” “The knock-on effect for the local shop and local school can not be under estimated and affects the very fabric of the local community.” Mr Bates continued,
“One way to challenge to power of the large retailers is to establish a
Fair Trade Welsh Milk Co-operative which offers producers a fair return
for their product.” |