Lamb deal welcomed

A MAJOR deal between leading livestock co-operative Farm Stock (Scotland) and supermarket giant Sainsbury's will open new doors for Blackface lamb finishers in Scotland and the north of England.

The major contract is based on Sainsbury's Taste the Difference campaign and it kicks off in December. Lambs must be sourced from members of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Society and will be killed and processed by Dunbia.

Launching this new initiative, Farm Stock chairman Ian Watson said: "This is a major market opportunity and we need to capitalise on the opportunity to sell regular supplies of 14-21kg lamb from December through to April."

Upwards of 7,500 lambs will be required for this premium market and Watson said he was keen to secure supplies for January onwards

He added the co-operative would be guaranteeing premium prices over market averages from January onwards.