Local Member of Parliament, David Davies, and Assembly Member, Nick Ramsay, made a joint visit to Glan Usk Farm, Llanellen, Abergavenny, on Friday afternoon to look around the Hillman’s organic dairy farm with representatives of the Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCo).
The visit, organised by OMSCo, provided the cooperative with the opportunity to highlight different aspects of organic dairy farming. It is the largest and longest established UK organic milk supplier with around 218 members, and was delighted that both David and Nick were able to visit the farm together to find out more about the environmental and welfare benefits associated with organic dairy farming.
As Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, Mr Davies has been leading a parliamentary inquiry into the future of dairy farming in Wales.
"Dairy farming is an extremely difficult business and those who prosper have to be able to tap into niche markets or do it on a fairly large scale," he said.
"It was therefore very interesting to hear about the role organic milk production has in the overall market in Britain.
"I'm very concerned that when the quota system comes to an end in 2015 we may see an increase in imports from other EU countries and therefore need to support dairy farmers through measures such as a voluntary code of practice and be prepared to back it up with laws if it doesn't work."
Following the visit, Nick Ramsay AM, who is Shadow Minister for Economy, Science & Transport at the Welsh Assembly, said: “It was a pleasure to meet Mr and Mrs Hillman at the farm. It is clear that they are passionately committed to organic farming despite the additional problems this can often pose.
“The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss other important agricultural and rural issues currently facing the farming community such as the lack of a decent broadband service in many areas.
“Learning more about the valuable contribution OMSCo makes to the Welsh economy was of particular interest, and I hope we will see its significant export business increase in the years to come.”