A Welsh Farming Union has launched a campaign to promote local produce and support Welsh farmers.  

On Friday, The Farmers' Union of Wales launched a new campaign, which seeks to persuade shoppers of all ages to pick locally-produced food. The union said it hopes the new initiative will strengthen rural Welsh communities, which are under threat from dwindling populations and neglect in government spending.

The 'CUT, PASTE and SAVE' campaign will feature reusable cotton shopping bags emblazoned with the FUW logo and the slogan "CUT - Food Miles; PASTE - Clear Labels; SAVE – Farm-yards", as well as lapel ribbons to reinforce the message.

Welsh language versions of the bags and ribbons will also be available; they will be on sale at FUW stands at various agricultural shows over the summer.

FUW agricultural education and training committee chairman Alun Edwards said on Friday, "Since 2007 we have been urging consumers to 'Buy The Welsh One' and although that campaign has been extremely successful the recent horsemeat scandal has prompted the union to click up a gear. We believe the scandal has sparked a major change in our food culture and was a wake-up call for our supermarkets and other food suppliers.

"We urge all food providers to follow the example already adopted by many FUW members who have developed food businesses with short supply chains and transparent traceability from farm to fork."

He added, "In the meantime, consumers can rest assured that when they buy beef or lamb labelled as Welsh and accompanied by the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) logo, at their local butcher's or supermarket, it will be genuine.