Here’s a link to an article on the Irish scheme. they have been doing this sort of thing since the 70s. Im quite relaxed about how it would actually work in Wales. A Cymru card could be linked to current superstore loyalty cards – you wouldn’t have to have an extra bit of plastic.

In terms of local producers the benefit obviously is that the scheme would generate consumer demand as has happened in Ireland.

Its no coincidence that major global food companies have located their produciton facilities in Ireland in order to qualify as Irish based companies. The decline of welsh food manufactguring particularly in the dairy sector is something we have to address if we are to have added value for the food we produce.

with regards your final point, i fully agree.

Many thanks for your comment. The aim clearly is to redress the balance between the retailer and the producer. I am often amazed when I go to other countries such as France and visit their super markets to see them stocked with local produce. You are right to ask what’s the incentive for the retailer as essentially a card of this sort will undermine their business model which runs down revenue made by local food producers. However buying local is increasingly a consumer choice and for the supermarkets a card of this sort could actually increase consumer flow. As you are well aware from our discussions I am no fan of the current business models of supermarkets – they operate essentially as economic black holes that such the wealth out of our communities. However, I am not anti supermarket if they act to the strengthen economic linkage within our communities, they could act at agents that circulate money in our communities helping regeneration.