Farmers’ leaders from Gloucestershire are calling on Farming Minister George Eustice to back a campaign to change the cumbersome and expensive red tape around ‘carcase splitting’ that means sheep farmers often do not get the full value of their animals when they are slaughtered.

Under current EU requirements the vertebral column of sheep either aged over 12 months, or with one or more permanent incisor teeth, must be removed, significantly increasing costs.

Mr Eustice is due to visit the Three Counties Show on its first day tomorrow (June 12) and one of the items on the agenda will be a call for a change in the date at which sheep are officially regarded as being one year old.

Speaking on the eve of the show, which takes place near Malvern, Gloucestershire NFU chairman Tanya Robbins said: “Many sectors are under pressure at the moment – dairy especially, as well as sheep and crops.

“I will be asking the Minister to help with our campaign to move the date that a sheep carcase has to be subject to ‘splitting’ in abattoirs to 30 June each year. This would mean the farmer would receive the full value of the sheep and not be penalised for additional costs.”

With lamb prices currently very low, the role of retailers and what can be done to promote British produce is also likely to be discussed as well as the Government’s plans to implement a 25-year strategy to promote the British food industry.

Bovine TB will also be discussed, with farmers keen to see the Government’s eradication strategy fully implemented, including the further roll out of badger culling.

“This terrible disease has to be brought under control,” said Mrs Robbins.

“We are grateful to the previous Government for starting action to remove badgers in two disease hotspot areas. Increased cattle movement controls and testing were brought in with the promise of further action on wildlife – we urge the Minister to roll out this policy in badly affected counties.”

NFU Deputy President Minette Batters is also due to visit the show on Friday 12 June and will be hosting a reception in the NFU marquee at 5pm. Johnny Ball and the Let’s Talk Farming Roadshow will be at the show for all three days.