NSA and the NFU have welcomed the long-awaited news of rule changes for the ageing of sheep for SRM removal, as Ministers announced that the existing method of checking for tooth eruption can be changed to an agreed calendar date, and that this date will now be 30 June. This aligns with other accepted definitions of when a sheep is 12 months of age, namely in the rules for sheep EID.

The move could potentially save producers and the supply chain an estimated £24 million.

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NFU livestock board chairman Richard Findlay said: “The NFU and other industry organisations, including those representing the devolved nations, have long been urging government to implement a simpler and more accurate system of ageing lambs.

“We welcome the news of a cut-off date as it will mean no mouthing of sheep and no splitting of carcasses – which can unnecessarily devalue carcasses by as much as 40% – before the 30 June.

“This change will enable the industry to cease dentition checks entirely, providing a far more precise way to age lambs at the time of slaughter and potentially adding millions of pounds of value to the industry.”

NSA & NFU will continue to work with Defra on issues, such as this, that affect the sheep industry.