Red Meat in the North East

Upland livestock rearing in the North East is the dominant farm type accounting for nearly 30% of farms compared with just 7% in England as a whole. A further 13% or so are livestock rearing but from a lowland perspective compared to 21% in England as a whole.

The reliance on upland livestock rearing and cereal production means that the impact of any de-coupling of support derived from the Common Agricultural Policy Mid Term Review could have significant implications on how land is managed in the future.

The region’s livestock represents less than 2% of the national herd, but the beef suckler herd of some 90,000 is approaching 12% of the national herd. This is similar to the proportion of the sheep flock, which amounts to over 1 million breeding ewes. The significance of the Region’s flock has been more than its numbers because, traditionally, the Region has supplied a significant number of breeding ewes for the lowland flock. Breeding sheep sales have been a corner stone to the survival of a number of livestock markets and market towns.

Rationale for Action

  • Red meat production is the region’s largest agricultural sector, which is inextricably linked to views of a traditional farmed landscape
  • An economically depressed sector
  • High potential to deliver wider public benefit


The Task Group

The Red Meat Task Group consists of representatives from a number of organisations, which are involved in the red meat sector within the region. The Task Group is responsible for shaping the region’s Red Meat Action plan, which contains a number of activities surrounding the issue of sustainability of the Red Meat sector in the North East.

The current action plan has 4 main aims:

  • To add/retain value within the region
  • To exploit any/all opportunities within and outside the region
  • To join up the supply chain
  • To identify and benefit from improved efficiency though the supply chain.

The strategic outcome for the Red Meat Sector within the delivery plan is described as: “A customer orientated red meat supply chain playing a role in providing a landscape for wider public benefit”

The action plan is a document which is constantly under review to ensure it best meets the needs of the red meat sector in the region.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

A Review of the study 'Abattoirs in the North East - Mapping Exercise Capacity and Future Demand'

The North East Sustainable Farming and Food Steering Group have commissioned a study to review the study "Abattoirs in The North East - Mapping Existing Capacity and Future Demand".The summary document outlines some of the key findings.

If you would like further information about the study please contact Sam Jones, the Red Meat Development Co-ordinator on Sam_Jones@rmif.org.uk