MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falkland Islands present on Show at Royal Highland
The Falkland Islands are exhibiting at this year's Royal Highland Show (June 20-23,
2002) and participants will be looking to build contacts with the agricultural community in Scotland, profile some of the Islands rural diversification initiatives and business opportunities, as well as provide more general information about the Islands.<
Attending from the Islands are: Dr Peter Johnston, Director of Agriculture, Falkland Islands Government and Ian Hansen of the Rural Business Association. Both attend the Show for the first time. Hosting the stand is: Sukey Cameron, Representative, Falkland Islands Government Office.
Miss Cameron comments: "We are delighted to be back at the Royal Highland for the fourth year. This is an important event in our calendar as we wish to maintain our links with Scotland. Many people in our community originate from here.
"We have some real news to share too ? not least, four farms now have organic certification, with more in the pipeline; our abattoir is operational with the capacity to process 1.500 sheep each week and we hope to export once we have final EU approval; and the Department of Agriculture has launched a new project focussed on increasing farm profitability through a programme of continuous business analysis, education and review."
Other diversification initiatives include tourism development, aquaculture including mussel farming, breeding programmes for sheep and cattle and building up a herd of reindeer, imported from South Georgia.
Wool is the traditional mainstay of the agricultural community and the Islands main export. There are approximately 700,000 sheep producing 2,500 tonnes of wool per year with an average fibre diameter of 27 μm.
The Falkland Islands Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture and the Rural Business Association are working together to improve returns from wool production and move into meat production through the new abattoir, built to EU specifications. There are plans to export meat products to the EU market by 2003. All of this is supported by the creation of a Falkland Islands identity quality mark the ongoing development of the Islands' internet presence and e-commerce capabilities.
More information on the Falkland Islands can be obtained from website www.falklandislands.com ? or visit the Falkland Islands stand at the show, number 143, avenue G.
Source: FIGO - London
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!