Royal Smithfield Club Trophy for Welsh farmer
The Royal Smithfield Club’s prestigious Bicentenary Trophy awarded annually to a company or individual who has made a significant contribution for the benefit of the British red meat industry has been won this year by Welsh farmer Rees Roberts of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, Oswestry, Powys.
A Nuffield Scholar, Mr Roberts, who was nominated for the 2011 award by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, was the founder chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) and a leading figure in the establishment of Welsh Beef Promotions Ltd.
A former Commissioner for Wales of the Meat and Livestock Commission he also chaired the MLC’s Welsh Committee. Additionally he chaired the Welsh Sheep Strategy and was a member of the Welsh Assembly Food and Drink Advisory Group and the Welsh Assembly/WDA Agri Food Partnership Advisory Committee.
Royal Welsh Chief Executive, David Walters, said that without the leadership and determination of Rees Roberts, Welsh beef would not have achieved the coveted EU PGI status which means that only products born and raised in Wales and slaughtered in an approved abattoir may be labelled ‘Welsh Beef’.
Mr Roberts, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies, received the OBE in 2003 for his dedication and commitment to the agricultural industry in Wales.
He was presented with the Bicentenary Trophy at the Butcher’s Hall in London by the president of the Royal Smithfield Club, Mr John Coultrip, who said his involvement in the Welsh red meat sector had been unstinting and of benefit to all.