The impact of the fall in lamb prices is being felt by farmers across Europe and it is essential that EU farming organisations act as one to tackle it, the NFU has said. 

Charles Sercombe, NFU livestock boardSpeaking at NFU Conference last week, livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe told delegates that sheep farm margins have been put under severe pressure due to a disrupted marketing season brought on by the weather and the challenge of cheap imports.

“This challenge is not just a UK issue, it is putting sheep farmers all over Europe under pressure and we are committed to standing with our European counterparts to address it,” said Mr Sercombe.
A UK farming unions summit recently called for Europe-wide meetings in early March.

“We must promote lamb around the EU,” added Mr Sercombe.

“But we must also look at the New Zealand lamb quota situation. The last real change to the quota was back in 1994 and the processing industry has made significant changes since then. It’s important the Commission looks at the value of imports coming into the EU and not just the tonnage.

“We’re calling on the European Commission to help promote lamb across the EU and address our concerns regarding the outdated quota regime.”