Farming News - Sheep rustlers on the rampage as the price of lamb hits a high
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Sheep rustlers on the rampage as the price of lamb hits a high
Thieves are targeting British farms at almost double the rate they were six months ago, according to farming leaders.
In response to the problem Welsh farmers are being urged to be vigilant, pool their inside knowledge and report any suspicious activity to the police.
Already 32,926 sheep have been stolen from farms across Britain since January, compared with 38,095 taken throughout 2010, say NFU Mutual, the insurance wing of the National Farmers’ Union.
But the numbers could be even higher as the company represents only two-thirds of British farmers.
“This is a very worrying and growing trend,” said Phil Hudson, the National Farmers’ Union head of food and farming.
“The theft of livestock results in an obvious financial cost for farmers, but more than that there are also real concerns for the health and welfare of the animals that are stolen from fields.”
The price of minced lamb has risen by almost 30 % since 2008, from £6.59 to £8.50 a kilogram, while the National Sheep Association says sheep now sell for an average of £75, more than double the price three years ago. Prize breeds can sell at auction for thousands of pounds.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has joined forces with Dyfed-Powys Police, Ceredigion council and NFU Cymru to launch Farm Watch to address a variety of issues including livestock thefts.
Adrian Evans, FUW’s Ceredigion county executive officer, said: “Sheep thefts in Wales have escalated significantly and many of our members have suffered major losses as a result. Although we don’t have any specific figures for Wales, we know via insurance claims made through the FUW that sheep rustling has become more extensive across Wales.”