Supermarket Sainsbury's has announced plans to increase the amount it pays for lamb until the end of February. The announcement was greeted as "a good start, [which] lays down a challenge to others in the trade" by the NFU.

Lamb prices fell by more than a fifth in 2012. Sainsbury's said its decision would benefit 800 farmers who supply the retailer's Taste the Difference range. These producers will receive £3.80/kg for lamb until February.

NFU livestock board chair Charles Sercombe welcomed the move, saying, "It's positive that Sainsbury's has listened to its farmer suppliers and although it only involves limited numbers and is for a limited time period, it lays down the challenge to other major retailers to ensure their lamb suppliers also receive a fair price."

He continued that scrutiny of retailers' practices will continue in the UK, adding, "The consumer showed last summer on milk that they will not accept retailers paying farmers below the costs of production for food. It's clearly time for the whole trade to now show they are committed to a sustainable UK lamb industry."