Give local lamb pride of place, Shropshire farmer tells stores
A farming leader has called for British lamb to take pride of place over imports on supermarket shelves as producers face mounting price pressure.
Oswestry livestock farmer Malcolm Roberts, who represents the county on the national NFU Council, said while the union accepted there was competition from New Zealand lamb and other imports, he believes retailers should be promoting British lamb "front and centre of any display" especially as it is currently at its seasonal best.
Mr Roberts, who has a commercial flock of 1,000 breeding ewes, said he did not want to see Shropshire sheep farmers question the long-term viability of production.
Lamb prices have dropped back significantly in recent weeks and Mr Roberts and other Shropshire farmers have seen prices tumble.
He said: "Consumers tell us they want to see British lamb on supermarket shelves today and in the future so we need to see retailer backing.
"We have fabulous stock here in Shropshire and excellent producers, many of whom will be at agricultural shows across the county this season.
"I share the anxiety of many sheep farmers about depressed prices and if producers don't have confidence, then the long term supply of home-grown lamb could be put at risk.
"Now is the time for retailers to deliver when British lamb is at its best and in plentiful supply and we want it to be given pride of place, front and centre of any display."
The NFU is also urging the public to continue to back British farming and ensure it is Red Tractor assured British lamb that goes into their shopping baskets.
Helen Cork, Shropshire NFU county adviser, said: "New season, grass-fed spring lamb is in plentiful supply at the moment. Whether it's a lamb shank, a leg of lamb, a rack or chops – British spring lamb is a really versatile meat produced to some of the highest welfare standards in the world.
"I would like to thank Shropshire shoppers for their continued support and for backing us and would urge them to look out for and buy British food and drink when they can."
The NFU is calling on restaurants be more transparent about from where it sources its meat.
"We would like to see the development of new products to entice consumers to buy British lamb and enable lamb carcasses to be balanced more easily, as well as ensuring labelling is clear on British lamb and the Red Tractor logo is used."
