In the coming weeks, we will be sharing with you some key information and resources about what you need to do now to prepare your business for January 2021.
In the meantime, all the information you need on how transition affects your business and the actions you need to take now in order to trade with the EU after the end of the transition period, are available at Gov.UK/transition.
Over the last eight months, food and drink businesses across Wales have had to adapt, be agile and develop more resilient business models as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is no doubt that many businesses have, and continue to, experience difficult times through no fault of their own. However, from changing supply chains to introducing new products or services, businesses in Wales have started to take the necessary steps to be more resilient following the coronavirus crisis and to become more sustainable in the lead up to Brexit.
European citizens make up a significant number of the Welsh food and drink workforce, therefore we urge all businesses to support their EU employees in making an application to the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you employ EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, they, and their families, can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 30 June 2021.
The Food Business Investment Scheme is an important element of the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It is designed to help primary producers of agricultural products in Wales to add value to their outputs by providing capital investment support to those businesses that do first and/or second stage processing activities. It is also designed to improve the performance and competitiveness of their businesses; to respond to consumer demand; to encourage diversification and to identify, exploit and service new emerging and existing markets.
The Expression of Interest for the Food Business Investment Scheme will open on October 1 2020 and closes on 29 October 2020.
The new UK GI schemes will be launching on 1 January 2021 and existing UK GI products will continue to be legally protected domestically under these schemes.
If you are a producer or retailer of an Agri-food GI produced in Wales and registered before the end of the transition period, you will have until 1 January 2024 to adopt the relevant UK logo on any product packaging or marketing materials. Advice and the logos for the new UK Geographical Indication (GI) schemes, are now available to download on GOV.UK.
Further guidance and support is available to Welsh producers. For more information, please follow the ‘Contact Us’ link at the top of the web page.
The UK Government and Devolved Administrations’ consultation on front of pack Nutrition labelling is now live. It seeks views to ensure the 'traffic light' front-of-pack nutrition labels scheme continues to be the best scheme for the UK and in the best format to help people choose what food and drink to buy. This is an action in our Healthy Weight; Healthy Wales strategy, with research finding that front-of-pack nutrition labels schemes can play a significant role in nudging people towards better dietary choices.
The English version of the consultation ends on 21 October 2020; the Welsh version will be open until 5 November 2020 as it did not go live until slightly later.
The Great Taste awards, recognised as the world’s most coveted food and drink awards, have announced their stars of 2020, and a multitude of delicious Welsh food and drink products have been commended with a gold seal of approval.
An international cluster study pilot for Welsh food and drink businesses commenced on 18 September as part of the Welsh Government’s strategy for the food and drink sector to develop and further harness our European partnerships. The pilot will see Welsh partners team up with like-minded businesses and organisations to investigate the feasibility of developing collaborations to drive the delivery of mutually beneficial projects. The programme is intended to support greater sector readiness and resilience for the industry in Wales, post-Brexit, through increased opportunities for support from wider partnership networks and expertise.
AMRC Cymru, Welsh Government’s £20m R&D facility in North Wales, has secured the BITES (Business, Innovation and Tourism Escalator Scheme) funding to develop an emerging technology demonstrator specifically for the Welsh food and drink sector that will accelerate the adoption of waste-reducing eco-innovations by integrating Industry 4.0 technologies in the packaging industry.
Seafood from West Wales is being served in East Wales thanks to a recent partnership between two food businesses.
Working together, Torfaen restaurant wholesaler, Vin Sullivan Foods Ltd, and Pembrokeshire seafood business Cardigan Bay Fish have succeeded in boosting their businesses by generating a host of new customers.
Aldi is supporting the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Initiative, #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste Campaign, by displaying the iconic heart shaped campaign emblem on all packs of their Welsh potatoes sold in stores throughout Wales.
Helo Blod is a free, fast and friendly Welsh translation and advice service that will help you use more Welsh in your business.
From translating menus, food labels or signage, to advice on making your website bilingual – Helo Blod is here to support you! Blod can also send you free lanyards and badges that let your customers know that your staff can speak or are learning Welsh. Because using just a little bit of Cymraeg can make a big difference.
The Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU) supports a forum to promote the exchange of expertise in rural development. WRNSU is open to anyone interested in rural development or involved with the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the schemes it funds.
For up to date news, information and support for the Welsh Food and Drink sector, from the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, sign up to the weekly newsletter at the link above.
National and international trade event and conference, bringing together the leading exponents of the food and drink industry in Wales, providing an opportunity for buyers and producers to develop new business. 27th - 28th October 2021, International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales
With just over a year to go until Blas Cymru/Taste Wales 2021, work is underway to secure attendance from major buying personnel. This week, we go digital by virtually exhibiting at SIAL Canada, 28 September 2020 – 2 October 2020, to promote Blas Cymru to the Canadian market.
Recruitment for the UAE Virtual Trade Development Visit has just closed with the following companies signed up: Castle Dairies; Caws Cenarth; Cradocs; Dunbia/Dawn Meats; Flawsome; Halen Môn; Henllan Bakery; Ocean Bay Seafoods; Radnor Hills; and Sim's Foods. The Food Division is working in partnership with British Centres for Business (BCB) based in Dubai with the virtual visit scheduled during October / November 2020.
The Nordic Virtual Trade Development Visit is taking place this September with 9 Welsh food and drink companies signed up. Working in partnership with Department of International Trade, the Food Division held a tailored webinar for the participants to learn about each market explaining the market structure, route to market, opportunities and potential challenges.
Speciality & Fine Food Fair have teamed up with Delishops to bring you a fantastic three day programme of product inspiration for the fine food & drink community from 28-30th September 2020.
Discover the latest products from the most exciting producers of the moment at the Virtual 'Meet the Producer' events! You will meet new start-up brands, as they present their products to you in a live interview and Q&A. They'll share the product's key attributes, flavours and tasting notes to leave you feeling inspired!
From 1st October Farm Shop & Deli Awards, in partnership with The Grocer are launching their 2021 Awards and details of how consumers, suppliers and retailers can be involved will be announced soon!
Social Media.
Food and Drink Wales has a new Social Media account. Follow us on our Instagram account Food_Drink_Wales for all things food and drink - news events and more #fooddrinkwales
ABOUT this newsletter
Quarterly newsletter for the Welsh food and drink industry from the Welsh Government's Food Division.
News, events and matters relating to the industry in Wales.
