AN ambitious programme to help English sheep farmers get the best prices for their animals is to be launched by EBLEX (the English Beef and Lamb Executive).
The "Better Returns Programme" will be a three-pronged programme to deliver benefits valued at a minimum £12 million through a £1.5 million Defra grant
from the £5.5 million National Sheep Envelope (28% of fund).
The EBLEX two year project, starting in Autumn 2003, will help English sheep farmers get the best value for their lambs by:
Improved price transparency. Through introducing a more comprehensive price reporting scheme which ensures producers know where to obtain pricing
information and how to interpret that information to the best advantage of themselves and their customers.
Greater handling Skills. Holding practical workshops from Penrith to Penzance, from Norwich to Knutsford, so all sheep producers can hone the skills required to select the lambs that better meet their customer requirements.
Being better informed about breeding material which can deliver higher yields to their customers and better returns to themselves. David Raine, Acting Chairman of EBLEX, who will chair the Project Steering Group, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for the English Sheep
Industry and a real vote of confidence by Defra in our abilities to change and adapt to the ever more precise demands of our customers.
"I am personally very committed to this project, and with the help of a Steering Group that I will announce next week, we will be working to deliver a significant and tangible benefit to a re- energised industry."
And Simon Mead, EBLEX Strategy Manager who responsible for the project on behalf of EBLEX, said: "As unpopular as this 'tax' is among English Sheep producers, we feel that we can make a real difference here.
"The challenge is to bring to every interested producer the real benefits of this programme. We think that there is nearly £60 million for the industry
to take, for an initial layout of £1.5 million.
"What we have to do now is to give people access to the programme and for the industry to respond in a positive and forthright way."
More information available from EBLEX on 0870 242 1413.
