Sheep sector faces disruption on scale of foot-and-mouth outbreak

A no-deal Brexit is likely to bring market disruption to the sheep sector on a scale at least similar to that which followed the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak – with export markets closed, producers unable to sell their sheep and emergency welfare schemes to take light lambs off the market.

Stating that many sheep farmers were still failing to grasp the full extent of the disruption which a no deal Brexit could bring to the sector, George Milne, the National Sheep Association’s development officer in Scotland warned that not only would the effects be as bad – but they were likely to last for much longer.

He said even if trade in sheepmeat with the rest of Europe – which currently accounts for more than 30 per cent of UK production – was reopened, there would still be additional hurdles to clear including export labelling, certification, codings, border controls and different medicine regulations, all alongside crippling tariffs and continued imports of lamb into the UK from New Zealand.

Milne was speaking at the NSA Scottish region’s AGM near Stirling yesterday, shortly after announcing that he would be resigning from his role with the organisation.

Milne – who has been involved with the Scottish region of the NSA as chairman, regional manager and policy officer for more than 20 years – said he hadn’t wanted to resign at such a crucial time of the industry.

But he added: “However in my opinion, speaking as member, committee meetings over the last six years have been tarnished by fighting and bickering and I have been very concerned about three past chairmen of NSA Scotland resigning.“