NORTH YORKSHIRE hill-farmers are experiencing another winter of discontent as prices for some sheep hit a new low - of only 8p each.

Bev Wilson, policy advisor at the National Farmers' Union North-East regional office in York, said plummeting market prices make it cheaper to shoot some sheep than sell them.

He said: "I have heard of people paying to have their sheep taken away or giving them to neighbours because they don't want to have to slaughter them on the farm."

At this time last year, ewes for slaughter were fetching £25 each. But markets in Wales and the West Country have been selling pens of 25 animals for as little as £2 - or 8p each - this year.

Miss Wilson said in North Yorkshire the only meat selling well was export quality lamb, which was fetching up to 62p a kilo. She said: "That's still a long way down on this time last year."

She said: "In most cases, farmers are making a loss. There's no way anyone can produce a lamb at that price.

"The wet weather this winter has not helped and if it continues, the lambing season is going to be badly hit."

Miss Wilson said many traditional overseas markets for mutton had dried up due to the strength of sterling and fears over BSE.

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