A forum will discuss the future of sheep farming in relation to the climate crisis at this year’s Llandovery Sheep Festival taking place on September 16-17.
The Sheep and Climate Crisis Forum will be held in the Castle Hotel on the Saturday (September 16), kicking off at 11:00a.m.
It will see panellists and guests discuss whether sheep farming can be part of the solution to climate change.
Alan New, a member of the Llandovery Climate Action Group and organiser of the event, believes the festival is a prime event to discuss a hot topic.
“Sheep farming is seen to be in trouble,” he said.
“Markets for sheep products are more difficult to access, food habits are changing to a plant-based diet, wool has little commercial value and sheep are seen as detrimental to the environment.
“Welsh sheep farmers have reported problems rearing livestock thanks to the recent extreme summer weather. Experts have suggested that climate change could potentially wreck traditional sheep farming in Wales.
“The Llandovery Sheep Festival is the perfect event to start this open and honest discussion about whether sheep could be a sustainable part of the solution to the climate crisis.”
Llandovery Sheep festival
While Llandovery Sheep festival will also celebrate old drovers’ trails, sheep farming and the wool industry, it brands itself as being “more than just sheep”.
The two-day event will also feature rural crafts, workshops, food and entertainment, held in the town centre.
“This year’s packed programme will certainly not disappoint and will have something for everyone,” Rachel Everett, chair of the Llandovery Sheep Festival, said.
“Events such as this are important to the agricultural community, not only in terms of bringing people together, but also in terms of showcasing the best of local produce, goods and services,” she added.
“The concept behind this community-led festival is to showcase the best of Llandovery, to share its cultural identity and historical past through the promotion of the wool industry and the local farming economy.”
