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Marks and Spencer’s (M&S) decision to supply 100% Scotch lamb in their Scottish stores means that thousands of additional prime lambs will be needed between now and June.
Due to the retailer’s specifications, all these lambs must come from M&S Select Farms, have full Scottish provenance, and be killed at Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan.
The lambs will come through either Scotbeef field staff or the livestock marketing co-operative Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd. It is thought that there is an additional market for 10,000 to 12,000 prime lambs.
Head of Agriculture with M&S Steve McLean said the move to source 100% Scotch lamb is a customer-driven decision.
“We know that our customers really like to buy regionally sourced meat, so we have been working hard with our suppliers to find a way to bring them a year-round supply of delicious fresh lamb from Scottish farms.
“In 2016 we sourced UK lamb for 42 weeks of the year. For 2017, we have not made the switch to New Zealand lamb in our Scottish stores, and instead will supply 100% Scotch lamb throughout the entire year.”
New Zealand switch
Previously M&S would switch in February to New Zealand lamb in Scottish stores but there will be no change in 2017. There has been considerable pressure from customers and NFU Scotland for retailers to offer local lamb 12 months a year.
This will be seen as a victory for customer power and farm lobby organisations.
The change also make financial sense since that the weakening pound has meant NZ lamb in 25% expensive than a year ago.
It remains to be seen if more retailers will follow suit in the run up to Easter.
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