NSA urges supply chain to make British sheep farmers “supplier of choice”

NSA urges supply chain to make British sheep farmers “supplier of choice”

In an open letter, National Sheep Association (NSA) chief executive Phil Stocker has voiced concern about the impact of post-Brexit trade deals on British agriculture.

Phil Stocker, chief executive, NSA.

Stocker wrote that the risks of new trade deals had resulted in “agriculture being sacrificed for greater gain in other industries.”

He said that Defra ministers had assured the agricultural industry that Britain’s ‘world-leading’ environmental and animal welfare standards would be upheld by not allowing imports produced in ways not permitted in Britain. Despite these assurances, Stocker said, the UK is now close to finalising a deal with Australia, a deal “that will do exactly what ministers promised it wouldn’t.”

He added that sheep farmers in the UK “are under serious threat” by the Australia and New Zealand trade agreements as both countries pose tough competition being among the world’s largest sheepmeat exporters.

Stocker reported that industry discussions over the last year and more – involving farmers, auctioneers, processors and abattoirs, wholesalers and retailers – have been a means to discuss the sector’s opposition to trade deals which allow the import of lower standard and cheaper products. He said: “I’ve not heard anyone speak up and say they are comfortable with it or that it will bring benefits.”

The NSA boss went onto say that the industry won’t feel the impact of the new trade deals until people in the UK start ordering their sheepmeat from these markets. Stocker said: “The message should be clear – lamb not produced to the standards our farmers must meet won’t come here unless someone is prepared to order it and place it on our market.”

He continued: “British sheep farmers, operating to some of the highest environmental and animal welfare standards in the world, should be the supplier of choice all year round with quality products that meet our principles, contributing to self-sufficiency, upholding our principles, and reducing transport related carbon footprints.” 

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