For this ‘alternative’ Christmas, why not put lamb on the menu
Putting UK lamb on the festive menu this year could help support the sector at a worrying time reports ATHWENNA IRONS
AS shoppers prepare to head out to butchers, farm shops and supermarkets to start their big Christmas food shop, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is suggesting consumers add delicious, sustainably produced British lamb to their festive trolleys this year.
It comes as the nation’s farmers nervously await a decision on whether a trade deal can be secured before the UK’s departure from the European Union on December 31.
The NSA has repeatedly warned that an interruption to the trade of lamb with Europe, no matter how temporary, could adversely affect the British sheep sector.
More than a third of British sheep meat is exported, and 96% of it goes to the EU, according to industry figures. With a no-deal Brexit on January 1, British lamb would face tariffs of 48%, making it prohibitively expensive to customers in Europe.
North Devon farmer and chairman of the NSA, Bryan Griffiths, said choosing homegrown lamb as a Christmas meat this year could help support the sector at this worrying time.
“After such a turbulent year we are all looking forward to enjoying a special meal on Christmas day or various other points of the annual holiday – but for many of us that will be a quieter affair, most likely with fewer friends or family than usual,” he explained.
“If then you are looking for a slightly smaller joint of meat to enjoy over the Christmas period, why not try a delicious leg of lamb or mutton? It can be enjoyed with all the favourite festive trimmings and is a meat that is packed with nutrients and has been sustainably produced in our beautiful countryside using traditional farming methods by the nation’s hard-working sheep farmers. Isn’t that something to celebrate this Christmas time?!”
Mr Griffiths, who farms near Burrington alongside his wife, Liz, added: “Consumers choosing to enjoy lamb this Christmas will not be disappointed and, hopefully, it will encourage the continued consumption of this delicious, healthy meat into the New Year. But be sure to check you are purchasing UK-produced lamb and not that imported from our Southern Hemisphere colleagues. Purchasing UK lamb will help to assure a healthy
domestic market for sheep meat is maintained at this crucial time.”
Phil Stocker, chief executive of the NSA, also said that as the nation has been forced to spend more time at home this year due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions the consumption of UK-produced lamb has actually increased, believed to be as a result of people spending more time in the kitchen and cooking family meals from scratch.
He continued: “This is an encouraging move that could also be due to successful marketing campaigns by the UK levy boards promoting the taste and versatility offered by lamb and mutton produced in the UK.
“Free-range, extensively produced sheepmeat is a great choice yearround, and especially at times of celebration such as Christmas. NSA hopes consumers enjoy it as part of their festivities this year and wishes everyone a very Happy Christmas and positive New Year, whatever that may bring.”