Neil Hamilton, AM for Mid and West Wales, and Leader of UKIP Wales, has welcomed a report which shows that shoppers in Wales prefer to buy Welsh produce.

Mr Hamilton, party spokesman for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that he was delighted with figures revealed in a document by Food and Drink Wales.

The report on the ‘Value of Welshness’, reveals that 85% of Welsh shoppers think that food and drink from Wales is great quality, 80% great tasting, 78% would always buy Welsh if the price was right and 44% would pay more for Welsh.

Mr. Hamilton said: “This is excellent news, and it is great to see that Welsh people are so supportive of food and drink produced in Wales.

“I am proud to support our country’s produce and delighted that Wales is also known for the highest quality food and drink by shoppers outside our country.

“Over the last few years, Welsh food and drink has gained an increasingly enviable reputation for providing high quality produce and this report shows that this trend is continuing.

“Earlier this year I supported the NFU Cymru’s #BackWelshFarming drive to encourage the public and politicians to support Welsh farmers, by championing the industry and pledging to buy Welsh produce. The findings in the report are also good news for that campaign.”

In the report it stated that nearly 90% of those asked, in the street canvass, said they would always choose Welsh, if there was no difference in price.

It also said that more than 8 out of 10 Welsh shoppers would prefer to buy Welsh Milk and Welsh Lamb and more than 7 out of 10 shoppers preferred to buy Welsh Water, Cheese and Butter. In addition, more than half would prefer to buy Welsh Cauliflower, Chicken and Pies.

Andy Richardson, Chair of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board said: “It is very encouraging for us as an Industry Board to see that this research highlights the importance of Welsh provenance and underpins the confidence we have in our food and drink sector. We are proud of what our businesses produce and the research findings from the Value of Welshness is testimony that consumers feel the same.”