Delegates from 17 countries attended the National Sheep Breeders Festival held in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria 6-8 May 2016. Representing the UK on a visit supported by the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) were National Sheep Association (NSA) Chief Executive & Chairman respectively Phil Stocker & Sam Wharry together with AHDB representatives Jean-Pierre Garnier and Richard Saunders.

As the leading sheep meat producer in Europe (400,000 tonnes annually), the UK is also the largest exporter with a round a quarter of its production being sold overseas each year. With 81 breeds affiliated to the NSA, the UK is in addition home to a tremendous reservoir of native and continental breed genetics and know-how. The second day of the Festival saw a Round Table of presentations from each country on the Conditions & Prospects of Sheep Breeding in which Mr Stocker painted a picture of a strong and forward-thinking UK sheep sector.

This visit was the forerunner to a group of international delegates attending the NSA Sheep Event to be held in Malvern on 27th July.