The National Sheep Association has welcomed the release of the Government's no Brexit deal tariff rates.

It follows months of discussions.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker commented: “NSA is extremely pleased to see the Government recognising the importance and sensitivity of our sheep farming industry, and we welcome the release of the schedule which provides us with some security.

"Our understanding is that it would mean any new country importing sheepmeat into the UK, or any volumes exceeding existing quotas with preferred nation agreements would have to do so at the stated tariffs – effectively World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariff rates.”

However, NSA remains concerned that a no deal will still result in far higher volumes of lamb onto the domestic market than it has historically catered for and that this schedule does not apply to existing quota volumes with countries such as New Zealand and Australia, the biggest importers of lamb into the UK.

Mr Stocker continued: “While the recognition of our vulnerability by the Government must be welcomed, we are still facing the same issue. With a no deal Brexit, sheepmeat will still be imported as it is, while we may face a period when we lose our export access to the EU and potentially regain it but with high WTO tariff rates. This means we may still be in the situation in a few months’ time, where our domestic markets may become flooded driving the price of lamb down.

"This would be very bad news for our producers, but for retailers and processors too as many will have forward purchased lamb for the Spring and early summer period and may face a challenging retail market.”

But while New Zealand and Australia are able to continue importing lamb tariff free into the UK, they will not be able to increase their input.

Mr Stocker added: “The UK will still have to accept lamb from New Zealand as part of its tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), and the Government and the EU have agreed a 50/50 share of the EU’s quota - which is roughly equivalent to our current position. This will mean that New Zealand will be restricted to 114,000 tonnes, and Australia 4500 tonnes of sheepmeat tariff free into the UK annually.”

Mr Stocker concluded: “It is frustrating that these tariffs cant be applied to our existing importers, however it is a step in the right direction and shows the Government recognises the vulnerability and importance of our sector.”