When the milk factory closed in Whitland in 1994, with the direct loss of over 150 jobs, the local people lived in hope that this decision would sooner or later be reversed. This area, after all, can boast some of the better land in Wales and also the most densely populated livestock area.
When the news eventually broke that the Dairy Crest factory was for sale, but not to be used again for milk processing, the local people realised that this was the end of the line. Added to the frustration were the problems associated with Foot and Mouth in the country and the temporary closure of the livestock markets.
To this end, a number of people from the area attended a meeting to discuss the future of the town and the farming industry, which after all is the backbone of not only Whitland, but West Wales. The meeting included farmers, business people, councillors, butchers, mart committee members and auctioneers.
Those present expressed the view very strongly that Foot and Mouth had probably entered the country by the importation of meat from countries with lower standards than the UK and where the disease was endemic. Its spread was encouraged by the unnecessary movement of stock around the country.
The meeting heard that the EC are now proposing to bring in new regulations by January 1, 2003, to control hauling cattle over long distances. A key part of the policy would be to promote the establishment of smaller abattoirs in remote areas.
As Whitland was within three miles of the dual carriageway leading to the M4 and within three-and-a-half hours of 35 million people, it was very well situated for such a project.