Live sheep import?

[EJS]

Having foolishly got into a debate on Facebook I've been told we import sheep live from other countries to feed up and then slaughter as british lamb. I'm sure this isn't true but can't find any information - anyone know anything about this?

 

[Sheep]

Having foolishly got into a debate on Facebook I've been told we import sheep live from other countries to feed up and then slaughter as british lamb. I'm sure this isn't true but can't find any information - anyone know anything about this?

No, we export plenty but import very few.


However it is the same as Irish beef when it comes to Irish lamb - but a much lesser amount (some is imported and packaged in UK).

 

[EJS]

Bugger! I was sure we didn't - do they come from Ireland only then - will have to apologise

 

[Angus77]

unfortunately the loophole is that if it is packaged in the uk it can be sold as uk beef/lamb but it does not have to have taken a breath in the uk. It is much cheaper to bring it in dead. Public needs educated to the difference in born in/reared in/slaughtered in and packed in codes. Education is key but how to do it is another thing altogether.

 

[Dry Rot]

unfortunately the loophole is that if it is packaged in the uk it can be sold as uk beef/lamb but it does not have to have taken a breath in the uk. It is much cheaper to bring it in dead. Public needs educated to the difference in born in/reared in/slaughtered in and packed in codes. Education is key but how to do it is another thing altogether.

It sounds like Facebook is one way! ?

 

[kfpben]

I always ask folk who object to live exports if they;

1. disagree with moving livestock by road
2. believe animals should not be allowed on the Isle of Wight to Southampton ferry.
3. believe the French/Dutch/delete as applicable are inherently cruel to their animals.

Anyone who isn’t a vegan maniac soon realises the illogical nature of the ‘ban live exports’ position.

 

[andybk]

Having foolishly got into a debate on Facebook I've been told we import sheep live from other countries to feed up and then slaughter as british lamb. I'm sure this isn't true but can't find any information - anyone know anything about this?

plenty of breeding sheep / cattle come in most years from holland and france , doubt very much if any fattening sheep come across , prices are generally higher and from smaller flocks that fatten them themselves in europe ( not so sure about ireland only ? ) , so unlikely

 

[EJS]

I always ask folk who object to live exports if they;

1. disagree with moving livestock by road
2. believe animals should not be allowed on the Isle of Wight to Southampton ferry.
3. believe the French/Dutch/delete as applicable are inherently cruel to their animals.

Anyone who isn’t a vegan maniac soon realises the illogical nature of the ‘ban live exports’ position.

Bloke Was commenting on Morrisons FB saying british meant nothing as lamb could be brought into country live, fed up then butchered and labelled as British. I was convinced no live lamb came in - but stand corrected. Just think labelling needs to be clearer. I always suggest local butcher who you can then ask where it comes from.

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Bloke Was commenting on Morrisons FB saying british meant nothing as lamb could be brought into country live, fed up then butchered and labelled as British. I was convinced no live lamb came in - but stand corrected. Just think labelling needs to be clearer. I always suggest local butcher who you can then ask where it comes from.

The numbers of Irish lambs coming here would be miniscule and arguably if they are coming from NI then they will be British anyway.
This is one of the reasons why the government will conveniently forget about banning exports!!!

 

[tepapa]

I suppose technically lambs will come in from the isle of man, either as stores or fat an killed in UK.

 

[Sandpit Farm]

The numbers of Irish lambs coming here would be miniscule and arguably if they are coming from NI then they will be British anyway.
This is one of the reasons why the government will conveniently forget about banning exports!!!

+1 To put it in perspective, UK slaughters about 17M lambs per year. A few thousand from Ireland is not even a drop in the ocean