Supported by UK Farming Unions and agricultural bodies, this was the campaign’s ninth year running.
This year, the Love Lamb Week initiative used the ‘Make It Lamb’ slogan to encourage consumers to use it in their everyday diet. Alongside NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), NFU, Ulster Farmers Union, National Sheep Association to name a few, all supported last week’s campaign. As Union Vice President, it was a delight to hear positive messages around lamb and red meat generally, which should benefit our members.
There is a feeling of optimism in market commentary as we see primary lamb volumes bought at household level increased by 4.1% versus last year. We have seen strong prices throughout 2024, but this is only the result of tight supply, the brutally difficult spring will continue to dampen the throughput figures.
While there is clearly a demand for red meat, we need positive market signals of strong prices to continue so that primary producers have the confidence to grow their businesses. Furthermore, we need policy makers to ensure that there is support in place to underpin the viability of sheep production in Scotland. The positivity of market returns is welcome, we know they can be unreliable. The role that sheep systems across Scotland play in underpinning rural communities cannot be underestimated, it requires a careful balance.
We have seen coupled support for the future of beef production committee until 2028 (SSBSS), we continue to underline the importance of ensuring there is careful consideration given to how similar support can be built in for the sheep sector. As well as continuing to advocate for support for the processing and packaging sector so that we can retain Scotch lamb processing in Scotland. In addition to this there is amble opportunity for lamb to be sold in new markets growing it’s export value and returns for the primary producer.
The Love Lamb Week campaign has been an excellent opportunity to highlight the many benefits of including lamb in our diets as well as promoting natural produce from Scotland. As a Union, we continue to support initiatives like this that have considerable interest for our members and their businesses.