Breakfast Club to inform sheep farmers on Brexit changes
21 December 2020 |
Change and uncertainty is set to impact the sheep sector after the transition period ends
The UK sheep sector is set to launch a new Breakfast Club to update farmers on the latest announcements that will affect the industry after the transition period ends.
The start of 2021 is set to bring change and uncertainty to the UK’s sheep sector, with changes to agricultural legislation, export markets and support payments.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) will welcome news from industry leaders with an initial series of four, one-hour morning updates as part of its new initiative.
New rules affecting GB-NI sheep trade will be catastrophic
19 December 2020 |
Northern Irish farmers rely heavily on sourcing breeding stock from the British mainland
Looming restrictions affecting the trade of sheep between the British mainland and Northern Ireland will create catastrophic consequences for the sector, a body has warned.
Following the release of the NI command paper on 10 December, all movements of live animals between GB and NI will be classified as an EU movement.
Sheep industry groups fear the restrictions on movements, to be imposed from 1 January 2021, would add more bureaucracy and red tape to a sector already fearful of Brexit.
December 19, 2020 7:00 am
The National Sheep Association (NSA) in the UK has said it is “outraged” by the situation faced by sheep breeders in Northern Ireland and those on the UK mainland who are involved in mainland and Northern Ireland breeding stock trade.
The NSA said that each year between 9,000 and 18,000 sheep of high value are moved between Northern Ireland and mainland Great Britain, some being multi-thousand pound rams of high genetic value.
On an industry scale this may be considered small but for individuals affected, the restrictions on movements to be imposed from January 1 will be “life changing”, according to the NSA.
WITH the start of 2021 set to bring change and uncertainty to the UK’s sheep sector the National Sheep Association (NSA) is preparing to launch a new sheep farmers Breakfast Club to help update on the latest news and announcements affecting the industry in January. Launching the initial series of four, one-hour morning updates, the NSA will welcome industry leaders and experts to help deliver concise and useful information to sheep farmers each Wednesday morning starting from Wednesday, January 20, at 8.30am. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “With so much still to be announced on how the UK’s departure from the EU will shape our future sheep industry combined with changes to agricultural legislation and support payments, there will no doubt be many sheep farmers out there seeking some support and guidance as we start the new year.