This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-33804496

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Farmers hold crisis summit over 'critical' lamb price fall Farmers hold crisis summit over 'critical' lamb price fall
(about 4 hours later)
Farmers from Wales are joining a crisis summit with a warning the price they get for their lamb has reached a critically low level. Farmers from Wales have joined a crisis summit with a warning the price they get for their lamb has reached a critically low level.
They claim their share of lamb sold on the shelves has dropped from 60% to 50% in the last year.They claim their share of lamb sold on the shelves has dropped from 60% to 50% in the last year.
There has already been one protest outside a supermarket with farmers unhappy New Zealand lamb is being sold at the height of the Welsh lamb season.There has already been one protest outside a supermarket with farmers unhappy New Zealand lamb is being sold at the height of the Welsh lamb season.
Retailers said they wanted customers to have high-quality, affordable produce.Retailers said they wanted customers to have high-quality, affordable produce.
The National Farmer's Union (NFU) has organised Monday's meeting in London. The National Farmer's Union (NFU) has organised Monday's meeting in London, which is also discussing milk prices.
The union wants to persuade supermarkets to change their approach, and it also wants the support of politicians at home and in Europe.The union wants to persuade supermarkets to change their approach, and it also wants the support of politicians at home and in Europe.
Tesco and Asda supermarkets are accused by farmers of stocking cheaper New Zealand lamb, which is leading to a fall in the price paid for lamb per kilo here.Tesco and Asda supermarkets are accused by farmers of stocking cheaper New Zealand lamb, which is leading to a fall in the price paid for lamb per kilo here.
Dylan Morgan, NFU Cymru Head of Policy said: "There is a range of factors - the strong pound has affected our ability to export abroad, there are the issues with Calais, historically a significant proportion of our lamb goes to southern Mediterranean countries, where the financial crisis has affected their ability to buy our product. Dylan Morgan, NFU Cymru Head of Policy, said: "There is a range of factors - the strong pound has affected our ability to export abroad, there are the issues with Calais, historically a significant proportion of our lamb goes to southern Mediterranean countries, where the financial crisis has affected their ability to buy our product.
"But the fact that New Zealand lamb is flooding into our market is a significant factor when there's a plentiful supply of the best quality lamb in the world available on their doorstep.""But the fact that New Zealand lamb is flooding into our market is a significant factor when there's a plentiful supply of the best quality lamb in the world available on their doorstep."
Unions say the gap has widened between what the farmer is getting and the price on the shelves.Unions say the gap has widened between what the farmer is getting and the price on the shelves.
Tesco said most of lamb it sold is predominantly Welsh and British while fresh meat counters only sell British lamb.Tesco said most of lamb it sold is predominantly Welsh and British while fresh meat counters only sell British lamb.
"We recognise the quality of British and Welsh lamb and we are proud to be the biggest buyer of it," said a spokeswoman."We recognise the quality of British and Welsh lamb and we are proud to be the biggest buyer of it," said a spokeswoman.
"We clearly label the origin of our lamb and aim to give customers a choice to buy British, especially as we are in the British season."We clearly label the origin of our lamb and aim to give customers a choice to buy British, especially as we are in the British season.
"New Zealand lamb is recognised by customers as also being a good quality and it helps keep it affordable for the customer.""New Zealand lamb is recognised by customers as also being a good quality and it helps keep it affordable for the customer."
Farmer Jonathan Huntley, based near Pontypridd, estimates he could lose up to £20,000 this year if prices remain the same.Farmer Jonathan Huntley, based near Pontypridd, estimates he could lose up to £20,000 this year if prices remain the same.
"All the lambs we're selling are well below the price of production."All the lambs we're selling are well below the price of production.
"It's a substantial loss and whether we can sustain that going forward, only time will tell.""It's a substantial loss and whether we can sustain that going forward, only time will tell."
He said New Zealand farms have an advantage of being so large and to be able to compete he would need to expand his land "from Cilfynydd to Cardiff". He said New Zealand farms have an advantage of being so large and to be able to compete he would need to expand his land.
The NFU is also concerned about the continuing cuts in the price of milk paid to dairy farmers.The NFU is also concerned about the continuing cuts in the price of milk paid to dairy farmers.
Morrisons said it tried to pass on lower prices to customers wherever possible. Morrisons said it tried to pass on lower prices to customers where possible.
Commercial Director Darren Blackhurst said: "We do recognise however, due to reduced global demand, that this has created an oversupply of British milk creating difficult conditions for many dairy farmers at present." Asda said it was "committed" to sourcing British products first.
Asda said it was "committed to sourcing British products first". The Welsh government said it was supporting the farming industry and an "ongoing programme of engagement with supermarkets".