One of the UK’s leading authorities on international trade policy will speak at Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) annual conference this week.

David Henig, the Director of the UK Trade Policy Project at the think-tank European Centre for International Political Economy (ECIPE) is the latest presenter to sign up for the prestigious HCC stakeholder event held at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, on Thursday, November 10.

‘Food Security, Sustainability and the Future of Farming: how Wales can be part of the solution’ is the title of largest annual conference of the Welsh livestock and meat sector. The event will discuss the key challenges facing consumers and producers alike and focus on the impact of rising prices, the new trade environment after Brexit, the effect of Russia’s war in Ukraine and global issues of food security and the challenge of climate change and biodiversity – and how farming ‘The Welsh Way’ can provide solutions and best adapt to future consumers’ demands.

Mr. Henig said:

“I will be talking specifically about what happens in the short term regarding UK trade and will be addressing globalisation and trade changes that will have a direct effect on the UK as a whole and, in particular, UK and Welsh farmers.”

Mr. Henig co-founded the UK Trade Forum, which brings together UK trade policy experts and has previously worked for the UK Government on EU-US trade negotiations and China-US issues. He has published analysis on global trade issues, such the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, USA-China tensions and the future of the World Trade Organisation.

“At a time when so many external factors are impacting on our industry, we are delighted to have secured an international trade expert such as David Henig to join our conference line-up,” said Gwyn Howells, HCC’s Chief Executive.

Mr. Henig joins Professor John Gilliland, HCC Chair Catherine Smith and other Welsh industry experts at this year’s conference rostrum, at the Showground’s Member’s Centre, from 3.15pm onwards.

Professor Gilliland is Director of Global Agriculture and Sustainability at Devenish and Professor of Practice in Agriculture and Sustainability at Queen’s University Belfast. He Chairs ARC Zero, the innovative farmer-led carbon farming project and has Chaired DEFRA’s Rural Climate Change Forum for seven years.