Scottish farmers have written to all major supermarkets asking them to commit to offering local lamb this Easter.
Easter is seen as an important time for sales of lamb, with many traditionally celebrating with a roast at family meals.
While Scottish lamb production falls towards the start of Spring, Scottish farmers believe that there is more than enough lamb to fill store shelves and meet the year-round demand from shoppers for local home-produced lamb.
NFU Scotland has written to all retailers calling on them to support the sheep sector by stocking the highest volumes of produce possible.
Last Easter (March 2017), an NFU Scotland shelfwatch found that two-thirds of the lamb offered on supermarket shelves was Scottish or British.
However, in some stores, the percentage of imported lamb on shelves was well over 50 percent and as high as 98 percent.
Farmers were "justifiably angry" at the level of imported lamb products on British supermarket shelves last Easter.
NFU Scotland believes that the figures for home-produced lamb can be significantly improved by greater retailer support and has, for the last two years, been working with retailers who stock imported lamb to increase their offering or extend the season for buying Scottish and British lamb before turning to imports.
'All year round'
In the letter to retailers, the Union has asked all supermarkets to provide information on what volumes of imported lamb they are likely to stock in the next few weeks as we approach Easter.
It also urges farmers to keep an eye on shop shelves. NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said Scotland has the ability to produce high quality lamb "all year round".
“That is something that some retailers already support with a 100 per cent commitment to Scottish or British lamb on their shelves throughout the year,” Mr McCornick explained.
“However, last Easter, there was frustration and anger amongst Scottish sheep farmers when some retailers were found to be stocking up to 98 percent imported produce.
“As Scotland’s sheep farmers gear up for lambing, a strong signal from supermarkets that they are backing Scottish lamb would be very welcome.
“Some retailers – Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons, Co-op and Marks and Spencer – are staunch supporters, showing others – Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys and Waitrose - what can be achieved.”
Mr McCornick said Scottish farmers and crofters are "working hard" to produce local lamb with world-leading welfare, quality and health standards.
