Perceived effects of Brexit and the Covid-19 epidemic on the UK lamb value chain: a qualitative interview-based study

Purpose – To investigate how stakeholders in the UK farm-to-retail lamb value chain fared in the wake of Britain’s formal exit from the European Union, along with the worldwide Covid-19 epidemic. Approach - Eight interviews were conducted with members of three separate stakeholder groups within the UK lamb value chain (farmers, meat processors and retail buyers) to ascertain the benefits and challenges faced. Interviews were transcribed and thematically coded, revealing three key ‘themes’: economic consequences, supply chain impacts and policy changes. Findings- Farmers were positively affected by an increase in the lamb sale price, but meat processors and retail buyers were more negatively affected by changes to the export process (increased paperwork, bureaucracy challenges and border control checks) and labour shortages. All three groups complained of a perceived lack of support from Government , and of a sense of uncertainty in relation to the new UK Agricultural Policy and future international trade deals. Research limitations/practical implications – The study relates to a limited time-envelope (November 2021 – March 2022), and interview sample (2-3 members of each group). Follow-up research will be required to ascertain whether these findings prevail across the UK lamb value chain, and to help inform Government with a view to protecting vulnerable stakeholders in the sector and securing British lamb for consumers. Originality/value – The research provides novel insights into the UK lamb value chain at a time of market uncertainty