THE sheep sector has a bright future with lots of opportunities – but much work is required to realise them.

The National Sheep Association and NFU launched their first joint “Vision for British Lamb Production” report at last week’s NSA National Sheep Event at Malvern.

The report said the industry must strive to address the damaging effects of price volatility of lamb and look at ways to move away from being a commodity traded on a spot market. Marketing transparency must improve and farmers must be given more risk management tools.

“It is well understood that different markets have different specifications, but consistently meeting those markets must rely on better communications, increased understanding and clearer direction,” it said.

“We must address shortfalls in how supply chain information is fed back to producers, so everyone receives the information they need in a format that is transparent and easily comparable across different selling options.”

The report called for a uniform specification for dressing and weighing carcases in processing facilities, and greater transparency in the weighing of liveweight lambs.

Producers need precise details of specifications and weights required and clear feedback on their lambs so they can meet live and deadweight market requirements.

The report says UK lamb should continue to be promoted as a quality, mainly grass-fed product, with high welfare standards and positive environmental benefits.

Government and industry levy boards must do all they can to grow export markets and remove bureaucratic barriers which hamper efforts.

It calls for the scrapping of out-dated TSE rules which require the carcases of older lambs and sheep to be split and the spinal cords removed.

They cost UK sheep farmers more than £23m a year and create a negative perception of UK lamb in some overseas markets. The report says: “We operate in a world market and the system we operate in must be comparable to our competitors right across the globe, be it identification and traceability or health and welfare standards.”

The report said more young people are choosing agricultural college and university courses – and sheep specifically.

The calibre of people entering the sector was high and the exciting career opportunities in sheep farming and related industries must continue to be communicated to young people.

“Traditionally sheep farming has often offered a route into farming for new entrants due to its lower capital cost requirements and less need for a permanent base. Sheep farming continues to provide an achievable first step on the farming ladder.”

Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: “We are proud of the report, and particularly the fact the two main organisations representing sheep producers have come together in this way.

“For the first time we have pooled our resources to produce a clear, consistent message about where the industry should be going.”

Charles Sercombe, NFU livestock board chairman, said: “The sheep industry in this country has a bright future and is well placed to address the challenges of global markets and to take the opportunities that are presenting themselves.

This document sets out a positive vision and identifies areas we need to tackle to achieve it.”