MPs debate measures to protect UK sheep industry’s future

Half of all food procured by the public sector will be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards under new government targets, suggests Defra’s farming minister.

During a debate on the future of UK sheep farming, Daniel Zeichner said setting a “clear target” on public food procurement is one of the measures that will help support the sector going forward.

See also: Can supplying the public sector work for farmers?

“We will use the government’s purchasing powers to back British produce,” he said.

The UK is the world’s sixth-largest lamb producer, with sheepmeat production worth £1.6bn in 2023.

Mr Zeichner insisted that the government was “grateful” for the contribution of sheep farmers.

“They play a very important role in supporting rural communities, with some 150,000 jobs contributing to economic growth,” he said.

The UK is a net exporter of lamb and mutton, shipping approximately a third of domestic production, and with more than 90% of that volume destined for EU countries.

The minister said negotiating a new agreement to prevent “unnecessary” border checks while maintaining biosecurity was therefore important.

Tenant farmers

Joe Morris, the Labour MP for Hexham, used the debate to urge the government to identify which recommendations in the Rock Review into tenant farming in England can be quickly implemented to aid farmers.

“I am aware of the strained circumstances we find ourselves in and that not everything can be done straightaway, but tenant farmers have suffered a great deal from spiking energy bills and food costs, and often a simple inability to make farm financing work,” he said.

Ann Davies, who as well as being the Plaid Cymru MP for Caerfyrddin is also a tenant farmer, said sheep farming in upland Wales had experienced an “unsustainable” 33% decrease in income in the past 12 months.

She believed that tackling sheep worrying is one action the government can take to improve the viability of these businesses.

Youth ticket

Encouraging young farmers into the sheep industry is another measure that could help, according to the Labour MP for North Northumberland, David Smith.

While sheep farming with its relatively low initial capital costs is a good entry point into the “broader world of farming”, Mr Smith said access to land and the affordability of tenancies are barriers.

He has asked the government to consider if the Sustainable Farming Incentive or other public funding can be used to provide long-term loan finance to help entry-level farmers gain a foothold in sheep farming.

“Could landowners be given tax incentives to incentivise them to let land at more affordable rates?” Mr Smith asked.

“We need to think about how we can increase access to land in what we might call starter farms.”