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News / NFU support for lamb market

THE NATIONAL Farmers’ Union has written to major retailers in an attempt to counter the shrinking market for Shetland light lambs.

NFU Scotland’s livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam has vowed to find a solution to the problem after the “serious” matter was raised at its latest meeting on Thursday (20 October).

Earlier this month local NFU chairman Jim Nicolson said a future cull of hill lamb was possible after a slowdown in demand caused by traditionally strong markets like Italy choosing to buy cheaper meat from Eastern Europe.

Some local lambs have been selling for just £5 each, leading to serious concerns over the viability of the market.

Following Thursday’s livestock committee meting, Adam has written to major retailers in the hope of rebuilding a market for Shetland light lambs.

NFU Scotland also plans to continue dialogue with other retailers and processors to highlight the issue, as well offering to work with them.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has also called on Shetland Islands Council and NHS Shetland to buy more meat locally.

The issue will also be discussed at future NFU meetings in Shetland with the view of building on local lamb marketing groups and deciding if collective direct selling should be explored.

“Clearly this is a serious situation with prices falling down to £5 a lamb. This is not sustainable for the native Shetland flock,” Adam said.

“We are concerned about farmer’s cash flow in the short term but also need to look ahead to ensure prices crashes like this do not repeat themselves.

“We are working with our Shetland branch to look at both short term solutions to find buyers and explore long term options for co-operation to reduce market fluctuations.”

Most local lambs are sent to an abattoir in Preston, but it stopped taking light lambs from Shetland in early October.

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As a result, the “worst case scenario” could be that unsold lambs might have to be culled, as there are concerns over overstocking or a lack of grazing over winter.

MSP Scott said one solution could be for the local authority and health board to buy less meat from the mainland.

“In light of the collapse in price for pure bred Shetland lamb, I have asked the SIC and NHS Shetland to urgently review their food buying policies,” he said.

“They import meat from south for schools, care homes, the hospital and many other public buildings. It would be excellent if they could support Shetland agriculture at this difficult time by buying local.”

 

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