Parliament welcomes four-day sheep exhibition highlighting role of industry

George Eustice MP kicks off sheep discussions on the sheep report in Parliament
George Eustice MP kicks off sheep discussions on the sheep report in Parliament

Parliament welcomed a four-day National Sheep Association (NSA) exhibition, which was labelled an opportunity to highlight the role of sheep in upland and hill areas to an audience of MPs, Government officials and invited guests.

NSA is working to circulate its specialist report 'Complementary role of sheep in upland and hill areas' to raise awareness of the wide range of public goods and services sheep farming in marginal areas of the UK provides.

It is aimed to promote understanding among policy makers and opinion formers, with the aim of working towards a positive situation where farming, environment and societal needs can all thrive.

The exhibition was situated in the Upper Waiting Hall of the House of Commons, providing an interactive display relating to the report. MPs and visitors could view a video summarising the report, as well as a display of items relating to the sheep industry, such as sheep management tools, lamb recipes, fleeces and skins.

'Many public goods that come from sheep'

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says: “Parliament will have the potential to offer a level of influence we considered to be crucial when we planned this exhibition, even before the EU referendum. Now its importance is even greater, as we face farming policies being restructured in light of Brexit.

“We set out with the aim to convince decision makers of the unique contribution upland sheep farming provides and this report has formed the basis of many discussions around the importance of marginal areas, some of the UK’s most iconic landscapes.”

The reception concluded this week, attended by a number of MPs, Peers, Government officials, stakeholder representatives and NSA sheep farming members. Two sheep farmers from opposite ends of the country shared their experiences. Thomas Carrick of Alston, Cumbria, spoke about the balance between sheep and environment on his family farm in the Pennines. He outlined the ‘huge potential’ he saw in the industry, which was currently being stifled by over-prescriptive regulation.

Helen Radmore of Yelverton, Devon, explained the many societal links of sheep farming, particularly its role in keeping rural communities alive where she lives in Dartmoor National Park. She described the importance of farming, environmental and rural schemes being led by farmers, to ensure they were suitable and effective.

Mr George Eustice said sheep farming, particularly upland and hill farming, makes a 'special contribution' to the environment and society 'beyond food and wool production.'

He said: “This is an exciting time for the farming industry – we have an opportunity to build policies that recognise the value of the public goods and services our farmers can bring. I look forward to working together with the NSA and wider farming industry to make the most of this opportunity to reshape our future agriculture policy.”