Pedigree sheep breeders from across the UK will gather this week for the National Sheep Association's Breed Society Forum.

The event is returning after a two year absence, having been forced to cancel last year due to Covid-19. It is hoped that this year's online format will provide a long-overdue opportunity for NSA and NSA-affiliated breed societies to exchange information and share updates on their respective activities and priorities.

Joining NSA representatives will be some leading names from the UK sheep industry offering information on topics currently affecting the UK pedigree sheep sector, including Marcus Bates and Rob Grinnal from the UK Export Certification Partnership to speak about the latest work on the export of breeding animals from the UK, and Alison Braddock from Scotland’s Rural College discussing the latest developments on work from the Premium Sheep and Goat Health Schemes.

Leading the forum will be NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker, who said: “The NSA Breed Society Forum is always an enjoyable and informative day bringing together sheep breeders from all corners of the UK representing a wide range of sheep breeds. Of course, it is a shame that we will not be able to meet in person, but an online forum does provide the opportunity for a greater number of representatives to join together virtually to benefit from hearing the session’s useful updates.

“As ever we are grateful to our line-up of speakers for agreeing to join us and we look forward to hearing their targeted and relevant updates for this sector of the UK sheep industry.”

Interested parties can join one or both of the online sessions on Thursday May 6. Further details can be found at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events along with links for pre-registration ahead of the online forum.