An annual campaign to promote lamb to consumers is being held across the UK from Sunday 1 September 2019.

Love Lamb Week involves the use of cookery demonstrations, sampling sessions and social media to encourage consumers to eat locally produced lamb products.

The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) are hosting live cookery and sampling sessions at Victoria Square shopping centre on the Thursday and at Belfast City Hall on the Friday.

Sampling sessions

Retail sampling sessions will also be taking place between 12pm and 4pm in Asda Omagh and Tesco Craigavon on the Thursday, and in Asda Antrim and Tesco Newtownbreda on the Saturday.

“Our main aim is to show consumers just how tasty, versatile and easy lamb is to cook with and to educate them on the nutritional value of adding lamb to a healthy, balanced diet,” said LMC chief executive Ian Stevenson.

UFU president Ivor Ferguson said: "Farmers are experiencing a very challenging time with a no-deal Brexit looming and issues regarding climate change, and it’s important we get the message across that sheep production is a key part of maintaining the countryside."

"Sheep can graze areas that are not accessible to other livestock and help us to maintain our carbon sinks by consuming and converting grass," he added.

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Love Lamb Week promotional campaign begins

Love Lamb Week involves the use of cookery demonstrations, sampling sessions and social media to encourage consumers to eat locally produced lamb.