A 24-point action plan aimed at revitalising Scotland's sheep sector has been unveiled by an industry expert group. The recommendations are contained in the final report of the Scottish Sheep Sector Review, which was published yesterday.

The report, produced by a short-life industry group chaired by former UK Sheep Farmer of the Year John Scott, sets out a series of actions for the Scottish Government and the sheep sector to facilitate sustainable and long-term growth.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: "Scotland is home to almost five million sheep, with the sector worth more than £200m a year to the rural economy. However, farm revenues have fallen sharply in recent years and sheep producers rely heavily on subsidies to keep them in business.

"It is therefore crucial that Government, industry organisations and livestock producers work together to overcome the challenges the sector is facing and make the most of market opportunities for our world class lamb.

Mr Ewing went on: "I very much welcome the Scottish Sheep Sector review and would like to thank John and his team for pulling together such a comprehensive and ambitious set of recommendations aimed at delivering a profitable future for the Scottish sheep sector.

"Achieving this has the potential to benefit the Scottish sheep sector by more than £26m per year, but will require the buy-in and active participation of the entire supply chain - from farmers and crofters, to red meat processors, retail and food service suppliers, and the owners and chefs of high-end restaurant and hotels. I am therefore asking John to continue what he has started and lead a small team of key players in the supply chain to drive forward the implementation of these recommendations."

Some of the key recommendations involve knowledge transfer, education and training. For instance, Recommendation 1 is that "simple and easily accessible tools should be developed for the industry that allow businesses to make peer-to-peer comparisons of their physical and financial achievements from which to verify their strengths and weaknesses that can be built on or addressed to improve the resilience of the sheep enterprise".

Another recommendation is that "within two years, every farmer and crofter should have access to broadband and mobile phone connectivity in all areas of Scotland to improve access of remote businesses to the knowledge exchange network".

Other recommendations are that: "A skills gap analysis of the Scottish sheep sector should be carried out within twelve months to identify the training required, with recommendations as to the means by which any training needs identified can be delivered", and that: "Stakeholders in the sheep industry come together to develop and deliver a sheep-farming modern apprenticeship programme".

On the technical side there is a recommendation that "an integrated central database building on the use of sheep Electronic Identification should be constructed that allows producers access to improved feedback of a prime lamb's carcase weight, grade and health status, as well as abattoir downgrades".

Market round-up

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4052 store lambs in Longtown on Tuesday. Top prices and averages for selected breeds: Suffolks to £70.50 and averaged £61.97 (-£5.86 on the week); Texels £81.50 and £60.07 (-£1.32); Greyfaces £67 and £55.86 (+£1.72); Blackfaces £43.50 and £39.58.

Wallets Marts sold 1483 prime lambs in Castle Douglas on Tuesday to a top of £94 per head and 195.1p per kg to average £75.93 and 178p (+2.8p on the week).

There were also 446 cast sheep forward when ewes sold to £90 for Texels and £54 for Blackfaces.