Supply chain must work together to secure long-term future of British lamb

All parts of the supply chain must work together to secure the long-term future of British lamb by ensuring producers are paid a stable and sustainable price for the high quality meat they produce, NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said today.

Mr Mackintosh said: "Over the last three weeks we’ve seen a dramatic fall in the farmgate lamb price and we’re extremely concerned by this development and the signals it sends out.

"Processors and retailers must realise that price volatility saps the confidence of the primary producer. Farmers need to have the confidence to reinvest in their businesses, and need to be able to understand the market conditions so that when pressure is applied to the farmgate price they can make informed decisions and react accordingly in a way appropriate to their business.

"While we recognise the issues surrounding seasonality of supply we don’t believe there is any justification for the price drop, especially in light of the decline in sheep numbers in other European countries and the southern hemisphere.

"If processors and retailers are genuinely concerned about future domestic supply we need to see long-term commitment from all parts of the supply chain to secure that long-term future."