British sheep farmers have 'nothing to fear' over post-Brexit New Zealand deal

The National Sheep Association raised concerns of a free trade proposal between UK and Australia and New Zealand when members said it could lead to a further increase in foreign lamb products
The National Sheep Association raised concerns of a free trade proposal between UK and Australia and New Zealand when members said it could lead to a further increase in foreign lamb products

British sheep farmers can be more successful working together with their New Zealand counter-parts after fears were raised that a free trade deal could flood the market with foreign imports.

Sir Lockwood Smith, New Zealand's London-based High Commissioner said British sheep farmers have nothing to fear: "We can be far more successful by working together. Consumers need consistent, high-quality lamb all year round and our production seasons complement each other perfectly. So why not work with us and market some of your surplus lamb during your peak season in third markets?"

The National Sheep Association raised concerns of a free trade proposal between UK and Australia/New Zealand when members said it could lead to a further increase in foreign lamb products.

Sir Lockwood suggested the real competition for lamb producers was in fact chicken, pointing to the huge increase in its consumption around the world: "If we continue to focus on each other as competitors, not colleagues, chicken will be the winner."

'Already suffering'

Phil Stocker, National Sheep Association Chief Executive, says a trade agreement would send a larger amount of sheep meat to UK retailers when the market is 'already suffering.'

"NSA understands Australia has been pushing to increase its EU quota for many years now, so there is no doubt it would send larger amounts of sheep meat to Europe and the UK given the opportunity," Mr Stocker said.

"The UK sheep sector is already suffering unacceptably high levels of imports of New Zealand lamb, much of which is sourced by retailers at times of the year when UK product is in plentiful supply."

The NSA said the UK needed to be keen to see an outcome to Brexit whereby tighter controls on New Zealand lamb were put in place.

They said a situation allowing new Australian products to be imported into UK retailers would make matters worse.

"Recent figures from Meat and Livestock Australia show the country produced 516,366 tonnes of lamb and 196,040 tonnes of mutton in 2015/16, exporting 56% of total lamb production (worth $1.78 billion) and 91% of mutton production ($700 million). The main destinations were the Middle East, USA and China.

Mr Stocker continues: "The UK is currently an importer and exporter of lamb, which helps balance supply and demand through the year and exploits ideal sheep producing conditions in the UK.