Opportunity for Welsh lamb as New Zealand sheep numbers decline

It would be a tragedy if the decline in sheep numbers 'down under' meant that Wales could not meet an increased demand from abroad, said Rees Roberts, chairman of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales.

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The massive decline in New Zealand sheep numbers – reported by Farmers Guardian last week – meant it would be unable to maintain supplies to its traditional overseas markets in the latter half of 2009.

“But while this is bad news for New Zealand, it presents a golden opportunity for everyone involved in the lamb industry in Wales,” he told a breakfast meeting organised by HCC.

“We now have a unique opportunity to exploit New Zealand’s current difficulties and fill the gap they will leave in the world market next year.

“If we can supply premium Welsh lamb into markets traditionally held by New Zealand, I am sure that when those consumers taste the quality of our product they will not want to go back to anything else.

“We must work together to grasp this opportunity with both hands.”

But Mr Roberts also sounded a note of caution.

“There is a cloud on the horizon in the shape of a worrying decline in the size of the Welsh breeding ewe flock,” he said.

“Latest figures show that the number of breeding ewes in Wales has fallen from just over 4.5 million in 2007 to just under 4.2 million this year – a reduction of seven per cent compared with a cut of five per cent in the Scottish flock and an increase of one per cent in England.

“It would be a tragedy if, just as consumption of Welsh lamb is on the increase both at home and abroad, we suddenly found ourselves in a position where supply could not keep up with demand.”

• Mr Roberts also added HCC’s voice to the calls to suspend imports from bluetongue infected areas.

“Farmers are being asked to show restraint and not import cattle and sheep from areas where bluetongue is circulating – but I believe this does not go far enough,” he said.

“The Government must take immediate and positive action to counter the growing threat to our livestock and suspend all imports from bluetongue infected areas.”