Britain's plethora of pedigree sheep breeds and cross-breds could be perceived as detrimental to the industry when depending on the type, terrain and climate, produce different meat qualities. However, such contrasting characteristics also provides huge opportunities for exports.

"There is a fantastic selection of breeds and genetics in this country which many producers throughout the world would be keen on importing," said Charles Sercombe.

"The UK's unique attributes of individual breeds can help other developing countries across the world with similar terrain, climate and types of sheep improve their own flocks," he said, speaking at a National Sheep Association Breakfast webinar, on Wednesday.

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Echoing these statements, Edward Adamson, NSA Northern Ireland regional development officer, said: "The UK is recognised as having the most number of breeds in the world with 60plus pure breeds and more than 30 cross breeds each of which has a recognised name.

"There is no other country in the world that specialises in that number of breeds for so many different terrains. UK breeders also excel in breed improvement and are likely to meet veterinary requirements for export," said Mr Adamson who exported sheep several years ago after winning the inter-breed honours at Balmoral Show.

"You've got to supply healthy disease-free stock, so you have to look to join all the health schemes and either have a scrapie monitored flock or ARR/ARR sheep. Signet is also a useful tool to promote your stock, but really you've got to bum up your sheep as much as you can if you want to export them, because no one else will!

"You have to inform the world through social media and if need be, through your own website with plenty of photographs of your own stock. People want up to date photographs, facts and figures if they are looking to buy stock," said Mr Adamson.

AB Europe, the UK's largest sheep and goat AI and ET company, is already witnessing that increased demand from abroad, with 2021 in particular seeing additional interest in all types of breeds.

The company which artificially inseminates in excess of 60,000 ewes and does embryo transfer work on more than 5000 ewes per year also freezes some 65,000 doses of semen for both domestic and export annually.

Many of these dozes of semen are on the back of high priced pedigree sheep sales in the UK according to Geriant Thomas, CEO at AB Europe.

"UK sheep prices are unique to the rest of the world, so obviously there is huge interest from overseas breeders, and it's not only the traditional terminal sires breeds such as the Suffolk, Texel and the Charollais, but also the heritage breeds such as the Shetland, Teeswater and Wensleydale.

"We're also expecting increased demand for embryos when the market opens up further in the States this year and for genetics from the hill breeds such as the Blackface and Cheviot breeds," said Mr Thomas who added that the company has contacts throughout the world having exported sheep genetics to New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, Ireland and the EU.

However, while the company does act as a go between for breeders looking to export from the UK and those looking to import from abroad, he warned that the paperwork involved meant exporting 10 doses of semen is not cost effective.

"If you're going to export genetics if has to be at least 100 dozes of semen or 40 plus embryos to make it viable."

Rob Grinnall, a veterinary consultant who works with State Veterinary Service, Export Certification Ltd (ECL) said there is huge interest in British sheep genetics from a shrinking global market.

"The UK sheep industry is renowned for producing quality products and the future potential for exports is only going to increase when South Africa is on the verge of an agreement with Britain and North and South America are opening up," he said adding that there are also opportunities in Eastern Europe and Russia.

Further information on exporting all types of sheep can be found on the Defra website, or through the National Sheep Association, AHDB, British Livestock Genetics and UKECP and UKTAG which work to promote sales abroad.