Association calls on the argriculture minister to protect sheep farming

The National Sheep Association (NSA) Scotland has sent an open letter to agriculture minister Jim Fairlie stating now is the time to invest, grow domestic consumption and exports, and increase sheep numbers rather than reduce them on land where grazing remains the most effective land use.

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In the letter, the organisation set out its key priorities for sheep farming and rural communities as policy decisions are taken ahead of the 2026 election and as projections suggest UK sheep meat production could fall short by 37,000 tonnes by 2030 if current trends continue.

It stressed the critical importance of continued, ring-fenced multiyear farm support, calling for funding to increase at least in line with uplifts to the UK Treasury block grant.

NSA Scotland says guaranteed, long-term support is essential to underpin business confidence as agriculture continues through a period of change.

Peter Myles, chairman of NSA Scotland, said: "It is important to remember that the Scottish national flock continues to contract due to economic pressures, land use change and predation.