Farming union urges Sheep Forum to deliver 'real change' for sheep farmers

NFU Cymru Deputy President urges the Agricultural Commissioner to listen to sheep experts
NFU Cymru Deputy President urges the Agricultural Commissioner to listen to sheep experts

Farming union NFU Cymru has urged the EU's Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan to implement the European Sheep Meat Forum’s recommendations and deliver 'real change' for sheep farmers.

This message comes following the final meeting of the European Sheep Meat Forum in Brussels recently.

As part of the European Sheep Meat Forum – a collection of cross-industry experts - NFU Cymru Deputy President, John Davies and colleagues have identified thirteen areas for action in the sheep meat sector.

European Sheep Meat Forum explored ways to tackle sheep industry problems across the EU
European Sheep Meat Forum explored ways to tackle sheep industry problems across the EU

A key priority for Mr Davies is to ensure greater market transparency through price reporting based on standard dressing specification.

Mr Davies and his colleagues also called on the Commission to recognise the contribution made to the wider economy, particularly in upland areas, by the sheep sector.

'Sheep sector has huge potential'

Mr Davies said: “The sheep sector has huge potential; but the report recommends that the sector is protected from distorting trade imports and existing tariff rate quotas should not be extended.

“Europe has 900,000 sheep producers, creating an industry worth €5.5billion.

“This must be protected and promoted through a targeted communication and promotion programme that encourages the European consumers to make lamb a regular menu choice.

“I very much welcome the dashboard for sheep price reporting that the Commission has already introduced.

“But I feel strongly that more measures need to be put in place to make price reporting more accurate and worthwhile to the whole supply chain.

“I have urged Commissioner Hogan to act on the points in this report. This is a living document that must develop and continue to benefit sheep farmers.

“The Commission should take the report’s aims on board and ensure its recommendations are not left on the shelf.”