A RESURGENCE in support for a ban on live exports hit the news this week following a TV investigation which followed the transportation of farmstock across Europe and over the border into Turkey.

The documentary demonstrated that welfare regulations put in place by the EU were not enforced at every stage of the animals' journey, with stock shown in cramped conditions, unrested and held up at borders in extreme heat, causing some to perish.

This fresh attention on live transport comes as discussions are underway as to what animal welfare regulations will be in place post Brexit. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker was interviewed on the BBC programme, highlighted the reasons why the UK exports livestock at the same time as it imports meat.

“Our sheep are run within a very natural system where the majority of them are born in the spring and because of that you get these peaks and troughs of supply on to the market place," he explained. "So, the argument for NZ lamb coming in is it balances that seasonality of meat throughout the year.”

Speaking to The Scottish Farmer, Mr Stocker expanded on that point: “We export some 35 – 40% of our UK production, yet if you look at the total annual production and sheep meat consumption figures, they are fairly close, suggesting we could be self-sufficient.

“The more the UK chooses to import lamb from NZ, Australia or elsewhere the more UK traders will need to look to export. If Britain really wants to reduce exports, live animals being part of this, then our retailers and consumers can do a lot to help – by choosing to buy British lamb."