Senedd committee announces inquiry into HCC

The Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (Etra) committee has launched an inquiry into troubled red meat promotion body – Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC).

The levy board has faced turmoil over the past year with a reported toxic culture and key members of staff leaving.

Its former chief executive, Gwyn Howells, also resigned in June 2024 after a year-long sickness absence.

See also: HCC staff letter raises concerns about leadership and culture

A group of former board members had previously written to the Welsh government, urging it to carry out an independent review into its governance.

HCC faced further criticism in December 2024 after former employees released a scathing letter accusing its leadership of fostering a toxic workplace culture and mishandling serious bullying allegations.

Issues with the levy body gained further public attention following a documentary on the Welsh language TV channel S4C, which aired on 25 November.

The documentary highlighted systemic workplace issues, revealing that six formal complaints had been lodged against one individual.

Employees detailed an environment of fear, with some saying they felt unsafe at work.

However, HCC chairwoman Catherine Smith rejected the accusations and branded the documentary “inaccurate”.

Committee review

The Etra committee is reviewing the effectiveness of HCC in delivering its priorities, assessing its value for money to levy payers, and scrutinising its performance and the relevance of its purpose for potential revision.

The inquiry will also examine the relationship between HCC and the sector it is tasked with serving – the farming and meat processing/exporting sector.

In addition, the committee will also scrutinise the relationship between HCC and the Welsh government, including whether the Welsh government should have more oversight and if it is the most effective vehicle for developing, promoting and marketing red meat from Wales.

It will also consider if a red meat levy is the most effective means of funding this activity on behalf of those the red meat promotion body is tasked to represent.

While not open for public consultation, key parties have been contacted for their views.

The committee is asking for information and evidence to be provided.

Plaid Cymru shadow rural affairs minister Llyr Gruffydd responded to the inquiry saying: “It’s high time that HCC was subjected to proper scrutiny and that the chair and board are made accountable for a seriously difficult period in the body’s history.”

HCC response

Responding to the inquiry, HCC said its welcomed the opportunity to engage with elected members and wider stakeholders around their work and future plans.

“Discussions [with meat industry representatives] will culminate in a red meat industry vision, which the organisation publishes for the start of each new Senedd term.

“The findings of the inquiry can feed into this process,” a HCC spokesperson said.