EU sheep export opportunities

UK SHEEP producers are the most competitive in Europe and are well placed to exploit new opportunities on the Continent.

This was the message from NFU president Tim Bennett at a breakfast seminar at the National Sheep Event, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire on Wednesday July 28.

“If decoupling is introduced across Europe, there could be big opportunities for our sheep producers provided government doesn‘t add extra costs and blunt our competitiveness,” said Mr Bennett.

Maintaining flock numbers and better marketing will become increasingly important, according to the NFU‘s president. 

“It would be a mistake to cut sheep or beef production in an attempt to lift prices because that would risk losing critical mass, and once UK supplies fall, buyers will turn to imports.

“Producers must remember that once product is off the supermarket shelf, it‘s harder to get back on.”

“More effective promotion of red meat backed by stricter labelling laws will be needed to fight off competition from low priced, white meat imports,” he added.