The livestock board chair at the National Farmers' Union (NFU), Richard Finlay, has said he is concerned as Great Britain's sheep sector continues to see falling lamb prices.

"In recent days we've seen the old season lamb (OSL) deadweight price fall to 495p/kg, and the liveweight price fall to 234p/kg," he said.

Finlay said that huge increases in farm inputs of feed, fuel and fertiliser have seen his sheep rolls go up from £280/t to £400/t in 2023.

"I know this will present significant challenges to many sheep producers that are also having to contend with the phased reduction in BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) support," he said.

"For ELMs to succeed it needs to be simple, provide certainty and fairly reward farmers for taking part and crucially work for all types of livestock production whether upland or lowland."

Lobbying asks

Finlay said the NFU, and the wider sheep sector, would continue to: