A Hexham auctioneer, Gordon Bell, has raised concerns with British MPs about the increasing number of lamb imports from New Zealand. He claims that the imported lamb is being sold cheaply and is putting British farmers at a disadvantage. To address this, Bell has suggested a minimum price should be set on imported lamb. Robin Walker, the MP for Worcester, has said he will raise the issue with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
Jack Walton has concerns about the sustainability of importing large quantities of lamb from New Zealand
A livestock auctioneer travels to Westminster to voice his concerns about the “worrying” amount of lamb being imported from New Zealand.
Northumberland’s Jack Walton said supermarkets stocked “a heck of a lot” of imported frozen meat.
The 25-year-old said UK farmers were already grappling with rising operating costs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said it welcomed efforts to promote British products.
The National Sheep Association is to speak to members of the House of Lords and supermarket bosses.
Mr Walton, who conducted his first auction at the age of 14, comes from a family of tenant farmers who have been in the cattle business for generations.
He auctions up to 10,000 sheep at Hexham and Northern Marts every market day and has been in his dream job for over three years.
“It’s great work,” he said.
“You are in charge of a large crowd making a bit of a fuss. What more do you want?”
However, he said he fears for his future.
‘Send cheaper frozen’
“The big problem in the sheep industry is that the supermarkets are buying a hell of a lot of New Zealand lamb,” said Mr Walton.
“There are thousands of sheep that would supply our supermarkets but I think it’s cheaper for them to transport it here frozen in a boat for 13 weeks.
“I don’t understand how this can be sustainable.
“It’s demoralizing. I will stand there trying to persuade buyers to buy sheep and I know full well the farmers are not making any money.”
Mr Walton is also concerned about the lack of interest from the younger generation and the financial plight of farmers.
His family is also preparing for the arrival of new lambs, but to minimize costs, they lamb themselves.
“It’s hectic, it’s a 24-hour job,” he said.
“If we get two to three hours of sleep a night, that’s pretty good.”
He added: “These days not many of us are involved in the industry, it’s a somewhat aging population.
“I was on a farm where a young boy gave notice because he realized how hard the job is – working on a mountain pasture, not seeing anyone for days and having to put up with it.”
Mr Walton said he wanted to see young people in farming and livestock
The meetings are scheduled to take place throughout Wednesday.
National Sheep Association Next Generation Coordinator Katie James said the trip was a “key opportunity”.
She said: “Our meeting with several Lords, MPs and Defra officials, and then also influential retailer M&S, gives representatives of the young sheep sector a unique opportunity to explain their concerns about their future in the sector.
“Decisions made in London affect the next generation of our farmers more than most and so with opportunities like this gathering these young people can help shape that future.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it “welcomes efforts” to “promote and source British produce” and will “always stand up for our farmers and producers”.
A spokesman said the UK and New Zealand have “complementary” lambing times.
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