Welsh lamb too expensive for Powys schools?

Schools in Powys could be forced to take Welsh lamb off their St David's Day dinner menu this year, because of it being too expensive - and replace it with cheaper pork.

It comes after a school in North Wales was told it would not be able to serve locally-produced lamb on March 1.

But Powys County Council said today that a decision on whether or not it would be serving Welsh lamb to its county schools had not yet been made.

Emma Savage, communications officer for the council, said: "Welsh lamb was used in our school kitchens on St David's Day last year in a variety of recipes, including roast dinner and cawl.

"We will be meeting next week to discuss plans for this year."

Heulwen Hydref Jones, of Ysgol Bro Hedd, Trawsfynydd, North Wales, said she had wanted to put Welsh lamb on the St David's Day menu but had been told by Gwynedd Council that it was too expensive.

She said: "It's a terrible disappointment. I don't know if every school in Gwynedd isn't getting Welsh lamb. We've been told that Gwynedd will make a decision by the end of the month.

"We were told that the reason was because the price of Welsh lamb was so expensive. We've had Welsh lamb on our St David's Day menu in the past."

Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said Welsh lamb was something that needed to be promoted more.

He said: "I think Welsh lamb is the most noted food production that comes from Wales and what better way to promote it than serve it at schools on St David's Day."