MARKS and Spencer is looking to source thousands of prime sheep in the coming months in order to keep its promise of selling 100% Scotch lamb in Scottish stores throughout the year.
This additional market outlet will require some 10,000 to 12,000 prime hoggs and lambs and is good news for Scottish flock owners and feeders.
These will be sourced exclusively from M and S Select Farms, with full Scottish provenance and killed at the Scotbeef plant at Bridge of Allan.
Most will be be procured through livestock marketing co-operative Farm Stock (Scotland), which has expanded its team of procurement officers to meet demand, or through Scotbeef directly.
Steve McLean, head of agriculture at M and S, who announced the move to 100% Scotch lamb in Scottish stores at the Farm Stock (Scotland) supply chain conference back in October, commented: “We know that our customers really like to buy regionally-sourced meat, so we have been working hard with our suppliers to find a way to bring them a year-round supply of delicious fresh lamb from Scottish farms.
“In 2016, we sourced UK lamb for 42 weeks of the year. For 2017, we have not made the switch to New Zealand lamb in our Scottish stores and instead will supply 100% Scotch lamb throughout the entire year.”
This is good news for Scottish producers and a welcome reward for the groups pushing to make Scottish lamb available in stores all year round.
Ian Watson, chairman of Farm Stock (Scotland), added: “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new supply opportunity for Scotch lamb.
“This new market is great news for our farmers, and I am sure that they are up to the challenge of delivering stock to meet this fantastic opportunity. Marks and Spencers is to be applauded for making this commitment to our industry, it is now our turn to ensure that we meet its expectations.”