Two farmer representatives from England and one from Wales are sought for a sheep industry group to help shape the focus of the UK sheep industry.

The Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG) is an independent body with membership reflecting the range of organisations involved in the UK sheep industry. Its role is to focus the industry on important issues, including in key areas such as responsible medicine use, nutrition and disease surveillance, with the vision to achieve a world-class sheep industry that is inspired by and competing with the best.

Charles Sercombe, SHAWG chair and farmer representative, said: “Being part of this group is a great opportunity to make a difference in the industry and influence the direction of travel of sheep health and welfare in the UK. In return, you are more in tune with the latest developments and influences which makes you look at how you manage your flock in a different light.”

As part of the role, the farmer representatives are expected to feed in information from their area and other sheep farmers on current health and welfare challenges and provide feedback on initiatives or proposals through attendance at meetings and via the secretariat.

Lis King, from AHDB, who acts as secretariat to the group said: “Each farmer representative has a term of two years and can remain on the group for a maximum of three, two-year terms. The role is paid a small honorarium and expenses to attend the three meetings per year. We encourage anyone keen to make a difference to the UK sheep industry at such a critical time to apply.”