A new report has brought together evidence to demonstrate the UK sheep industry’s role in sustainable agriculture – and identify what more can be done to progress the sector.

Published by the National Sheep Association (NSA) and produced in association with Harper Adams University School of Sustainable Food and Farming, "UK sheep farming and the sustainability agenda: A review of the evidence and ways to deliver more" was launched at Tuesday's NSA Sheep Event.

The report emphasises that sustainability has four key pillars – environment, economics, health and society – and that all must be considered together rather than in isolation.

It concludes: "Britain’s exit from the EU presented the opportunity for new policies to support environmental, social and food needs, but it took serious disruption in food supply chains during the Covid pandemic and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza for policymakers to wake up to the fragility of our food security and availability.

"The frailty of an approach putting environment into a public funded box and leaving food to the vagaries of an increasingly global marketplace must now be acknowledged. Agricultural policy needs to be long term, provide stability and clear direction with the ability to fine tune policies quickly, recognising the multiple challenges but accepting the interconnectedness of a healthy planet, healthy ecosystems and healthy people."

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Sheep farming has previously been criticised for being non progressive but this fully evidenced report shows the incredible contribution the sector makes to successfully managing land for food production, environmental outcomes, biodiversity and more. The report explores sustainability in all these guises and considers the trade-offs when required to meet multiple goals.

“The UK approach to farming sheep aligns with sustainable, regenerative interests in both uplands and lowlands. Our livestock are free to enjoy a life close to nature whilst farmers are increasingly focused on reducing inputs, striving towards responsible medicine use and management practices that will sequester carbon and deliver for a healthy, biodiverse environment.

“There is more we need to do, and the report outlines what can be done by sheep farmers but also the support mechanisms required to best ensure this can be achieved.”

Professor Jude Capper, of the Harper Adams School of Sustainable Food and Farming, added: “Sheep production is an incredibly important component of UK agriculture and has shaped most of the landscapes in which we live and work. At a time when the sector is beset by economic, environmental and social challenges, there's a real need to recognise and celebrate the myriad benefits that sheep production provides. It's been a pleasure to work with NSA in detailing the immense value of our sustainable, resilient, eco-friendly sheep production systems."

The report aims to influence current and future areas of policy support and market development, with practical applications at farm level.

Report contributor Will Rawling, who farms 1,100 pure-bred Herdwicks plus composite ewes and suckler cows on 1,200 acres of unfenced Lakeland fell in Cumbria, said the report "highlights the importance of sensible and sympathetic land management, and that is part and parcel of what we do".

“On our farm we have moved away from the systems promoted by post war, cheap and plentiful food policies, whilst remaining productive and hopefully efficient in every respect," he added. "The environment in which we farm has supported generations of ours, as well as lots of other families of fauna and flora. We now also know that the carbon storage and sequestration capabilities of these diverse habitats are an important feature that will help to promote a healthy future environment.”