New Zealand Lamb Import Rise – The Conservatives' Disastrous Trade Deals are Harming Welsh Farmers

• The Liberal Democrats have hit out at the Conservative Party following the publication of data showing that lamb imports to the UK have risen dramatically following what the Liberal Democrats describe as disastrous trade deals that were signed by the previous Conservative Government with Australia and New Zealand.
• The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on the new UK Labour Government to review the trade deals

Sheep meat imports to the UK, both fresh and frozen, have surged by 40% to reach 67,880t in 2024, marking the highest level since 2018.

The majority of the extra sheep meat has come from New Zealand, up by 14,300t, and Australia, up by 6,500t – countries that now enjoy preferential terms of trade following the previous Conservative Government’s trade deals.

HMRC figures indicate a decline in UK sheep meat exports (excluding offal), totalling roughly 79,500t, down some 6% from 2023.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has highlighted that Australia’s proportion of fresh and frozen lamb imports (17,800t) continues to grow under the free-trade agreement, with 62% of its 2024 quota fulfilled.

Responding to the news, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

“The Liberal Democrats warned the Conservatives at the time these trade deals would be disastrous for lamb farmers across Wales and the entire UK, but they refused to listen and ploughed on without even an impact assessment.

“Sheep farming is part of the very fabric of rural Wales and threats to its prosperity and success are not only a threat to the farmers themselves, but also the entire rural economy and communities, wider supply chains and of course the Welsh Language.

“This new Labour Government must review these trade deals as a matter of urgency and take action to protect Welsh sheep farmers. They also must ensure that any future trade deals do not repeat the Conservatives’ mistakes and include full impact assessments for all the nations and regions of the UK.”

ENDS