Butchery demonstration illustrated lamb being broken down for retail cuts

NFU Scotland has teamed up with the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association (SFMTA) to gain a better understanding of the lamb supply chains.

A challenging lamb market means we need to work together when it comes to selling lamb and that was recognised at a meeting of NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee meeting at Ingliston on Tuesday 8 September.

In tandem with SFMTA, the committee learned about how meat is tailored specifically for the supply chain thanks to a butchery demonstration from Iain Jolliffe of David Faults Butchers, Kilmarnock.

He showed attendees how a lamb is broken down into retail cuts, and spoke about the challenges of processing lamb.

The joint initiative will continue during the winter as Livestock Committee members attend regional SFMTA meetings to discuss beef and sheep farming. This is part of the Committee’s priority of supporting the live prime ring and Scotland’s quality butchery industry.

NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee Chairman, Charlie Adam commented: “Farmers are experts on running sheep businesses but if we are to get change in all the supply chain we need to know about every stage of the lamb journey. It is critical that we work with all the partners in the supply chain and with farmers being affected by poor prices, the Union is exploring every avenue it can to help improve the situation.”

Douglas Scott, Chief Executive of SFMTA commented: “Iain demonstrated the skills and more importantly, the time involved in cutting lamb into saleable cuts, attractive to the modern consumer. We feel it is extremely useful for farmers to fully understand the challenge that craft butchers face in creating a return on their efforts to sell Scotch Lamb.”

Iain Jolliffe of David Faulds Butchers, Kilmarnock said: “We are keen to work with farmers and talk about the lamb sector. Our butchers are passionate about selling our fantastic Scottish lamb customers. Today was a great opportunity for farmers to gain an understanding of the sector beyond the farm gate.”

The cut-up lamb helped to raise £238 for charity through donations from NFU Scotland staff and Livestock Committee members.

Notes to Editors

• Photographs from the butchery demonstration on Tuesday 8 September are available by emailing media@nfus.org.uk

Ends

Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108