Lambs slaughter falls short

Thousands of lambs are being slaughtered this autumn

More than a quarter of a million healthy Welsh hill lambs will be slaughtered this autumn under the government's welfare disposal scheme - although the figure is much lower than original estimates.

The scheme was introduced because of fears of a glut of smaller lambs which are traditionally exported - an avenue now closed because of foot-and-mouth.

It is a terrible waste, we are farming trying to be of value to the community and the country

Gareth Jones, Hill farmer

The goverment decided that there was a need to kill the lambs as the number of animals to sell was mounting.

Every year, two million Welsh hill lambs are exported and farmers will recived £10 for each lamb that is slaughtered that will not be sold in the shops.

Speaking to BBC Wales hill farmer Gareth Jones said: "It is a terrible waste, we are farming trying to be of value to the community and the country.

"We are providers of food for the country we think, and yet these lambs are being destroyed."

Every year 2m lambs are exported

However, the number of lambs that are being killed is not as large as was previously predicted.

It is now closer to 250,000 than one million and many of the lambs have already been killed due to foot and mouth outbreak.

Large supermarkests chains like Iceland have also started to sell Welsh hill lambs which has opened a much needed new market to Welsh farmers.

The hope now is that this new market will help avoid any future unecessary lamb cullings.