The four farming unions warned that declining livestock numbers could have consequences beyond the uplands themselves
Falling livestock numbers could threaten UK beef and lamb production and reduce the supply of breeding stock to lowland farms, four farming unions have warned.
The NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and Ulster Farmers’ Union raised the concern following a four-nation uplands summit in Eryri National Park, North Wales.
Representatives said upland farms remain strategically important to food production, supplying high-quality beef and lamb as well as breeding animals used by lowland farming systems.
However, the unions warned that falling livestock numbers, weak profitability and rising costs are putting that role under increasing pressure.
The joint statement did not provide figures showing the scale of the decline in upland cattle and sheep numbers, but representatives said the trend could have wider consequences for domestic food production.
The summit followed a particularly difficult summer for upland communities, marked by prolonged drought and large-scale wildfires.
Representatives from all four nations argued that active farming and livestock grazing can play a role in managing vegetation and reducing the build-up of material capable of fuelling wildfires.
Flooding was also identified as a growing concern, alongside the higher costs faced by farms located further from services, processors and markets.
Other pressures highlighted at the summit included land-use change linked to decarbonisation policies, rewilding, species reintroduction and difficulties creating viable opportunities for the next generation.
The unions said low profitability remained central to many of those challenges, particularly where businesses face limited agricultural alternatives because of terrain, climate and location.
They warned that without economically sustainable farms, the social and agricultural infrastructure supporting upland areas could continue to weaken.
In their joint statement, the four unions said: “Active farming is, however, essential to maintain the fabric of our uplands.”
They added: “These are living, working landscapes, the ongoing management of which is only possible if it is economically sustainable and there are people there to work the land and care for the livestock.”
Beyond food production, the unions highlighted the role upland farms play in managing landscapes, supporting rural communities and delivering environmental benefits including water quality, carbon storage and biodiversity.
They also said future agricultural policies should recognise the different farming systems found across upland areas, including tenant farms, crofts and common land.
Although agricultural support now differs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the unions called on governments in all four nations to ensure upland farmers are properly rewarded for food production, environmental management and their contribution to rural communities.
They said: “We must provide a platform to ensure a viable future for the next generation in our uplands.”
The NFU has also launched an uplands survey seeking farmers’ views on profitability, environmental schemes, food production, succession and wider policy changes.
NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said upland farmers were facing “huge challenges and an immediate crisis in cashflow and confidence”.
She said feedback from the survey would help shape the organisation’s policy work and strengthen its representation of upland businesses.
The unions said maintaining viable upland farms would be important not only for rural communities and landscape management, but also for sustaining beef and lamb production and the breeding livestock on which other parts of the farming sector depend.