Hi Caz & Simon
Diolch yn fawr to both of you - sorry for taking so long to reply but I didn't realise that you had replied to my post.
I am certainly serious about setting up a network for those working in the food industry in Wales and have already made some progress, although because of the amount of work I have to do at the moment it is somewhat slow. I am getting the company I work for ready to supply a major retailer and we are going for BRC in October.
Nevertheless, the aims of the network I would wish to create are:-
(a) collaboration to provide each other with advice and guidance on food safety, compliance with legislation, codes of practice and industry standards
(b) joint product development and research between companies to share costs and promote co-operation in new product development
© development of a "Welsh" brand to drive sales of Welsh food products globally
(d) ultimately, to drive up standards in the Welsh food industry from the little shop to the major producer
(e) to ensure that the direction of the Welsh food industry is industry led rather than government led.
Sounds like a big task and it probably is. However, I have always believed that co-operation is key to developing the Welsh food industry and hopefully a collaborative network will work.
Regards
Paul