A free seminar will examine whether the greatest pressures on British beef and sheep farming come from imports or closer to home, and what this means for UK food security.
The future of British beef and sheep farming will be the focus of a dedicated seminar at Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 30th October 2026 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
Hosted by H+H, Phil Stocker, Chief Executive of the National Sheep Association, and Robert Martin, National Chair of the Tenant Farmers Association, will take part in the discussion examining where the greatest pressures on British livestock producers are coming from.
With thousands of farmers and livestock producers attending Agri Expo from across the length and breadth of the country, the seminar taking place at 1.30pm in Ring Four is expected to be one of the most important discussions of the day.
Entitled “Imports and the Future of British Beef and Sheep Farming”, it will explore the impact of imported red meat alongside challenges closer to home, including production costs, agricultural policy, regulation, labour, disease and declining livestock numbers.
Chair of the seminar, Scott Donaldson, Group Director at H&H, said: “Agri Expo showcases the best quality home-produced livestock and the part it plays in the UK’s food security. At H&H, we believe supporting British livestock production is essential to securing our food supply, sustaining farming businesses and creating opportunities for the next generation.
“With domestic livestock numbers under pressure, this seminar is about raising awareness of the challenge imported red meat presents to livestock production in the UK and bringing this to the attention of policymakers and politicians.
“We constantly hear food security discussed, but we are in a very volatile period globally, and it would not take much to interrupt our food supply chain. We need to focus on producing more in the UK, so we are less reliant on imports from across the world, whether that is Brazil, New Zealand, Australia or Argentina.”
*Latest AHDB figures show UK sheep meat imports in the first half of 2026 were around 1.5% higher year-on-year, with growing volumes from Australia helping to offset reduced shipments from New Zealand. Beef imports were also around 1% higher over the same period, with increased volumes from Australia and New Zealand changing the make-up of UK supply despite tighter availability from Ireland.
The speakers will consider whether imports are competing directly with British beef and lamb or filling gaps left by reduced domestic production. They will also examine whether British farmers are competing on a level playing field, including differences in production costs, farming systems and environmental and animal welfare requirements.
Consumer demand, the value of British provenance and the responsibilities of retailers and foodservice businesses will also form part of the discussion, before the panel considers what would strengthen the long-term prospects of British beef and sheep farming.
Organised by Harrison & Hetherington, Borderway Agri Expo is the UK’s largest autumn livestock event, bringing together some of the country’s finest cattle and sheep alongside agricultural trade stands, competitions and opportunities for the next generation.
