On The Subject Of Sheep

[mrs_overall]

The post on Chernobyl sheep has prompted me to ask this question:
In Britain, the fields and moorlands are filled with sheep. So......why is the cost of lamb in the butchers so very very expensive?

[Old_Geezer]

I guess it costs a lot to rear them ?

[sandyRoe]

The wee woolly ones are exported to sate the appetites of Europe?

[mrs_overall]

There was a programme on TV recently saying the sheep farmers lose money on rearing them for their fleeces so the majority must be reared for meat

[Svejk]

Doesn't cost nowt here. They just wander about the mountain foot loose and fancy free.

[Old_Geezer]

You mean you just nick one for Sunday lunch ?

[ummmm]

My partners uncle is a sheep farmer and was saying there's no money at all in the fleeces anymore. It's still a job that needs doing though.