Llyr Gruffydd MS Member of the Senedd for North Wales

"For how long will the Government insist that the mounting issues facing Hybu Cig Cymru are someone else's problem?" This is what Llyr Gruffydd asked the Cabinet Seceretary in the Senedd last week.

Following recent alligations, resignations and high staff turnover it seems that the problems are mounting for government agency Hybu Cig Cymru. The agency – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is the industry-led organisation responsible for the development, promotion and marketing of Welsh red meat. The organisation is fully funded by Welsh Government.

Earlier this year the organisation faced serious alligations of bullying of staff, when six members of staff complained separately about bullying behaviour by a manager and an external investigation upheld several complaints against the individual concerned, according to S4C's Newyddion programme.

Llyr Gruffydd wrote to the previous Cabinet Seceretary, or Minister as it was then - Leslie Griffiths back in February of this year, expressing concern about the situation in HCC. At that time, he was told that the Government wasn't going to intervene. In the week leading to Mr Griffiths' intervention in the Senedd two directors resigned from the board, and it's become clear that the situation is deteriorating. Llyr Gruffydd has subsequently written a second letter to the Cabinet Seceretary to express concern about the deteriorating situation.

Last week Llyr Gruffydd asked the Cabinet Secretary, Huw Irranca Davies -

"You have said that they are focused on resolving these problems, but of course, that's what the Government's been saying for almost a year now. Don't you feel a responsibility for safeguarding the well-being of individuals within the organisation who are affected by these difficulties?

"We've heard already about the risk that exists of undermining the faith of levy payers, and, at the end of the day, the risk of having a negative impact on the brand and reputation of Welsh red meat. For how long will you say that this is someone else's problem?"

The Cabinet Secretary, Huw Irranca Davies responded-

"Whilst I'm very aware of the problems, it is not for me to step in and, in some ways, tell Hybu Cig Cymru what to do, or intervene in what are sensitive—I'm sure you'll appreciate—and delicate discussions with both current and former members. That is for Hybu Cig Cymru to do. Meanwhile, I as Cabinet Secretary am keenly focused on both the reputation and the performance of this organisation, and I'll continue to hold that focus on them."