NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: “I am saddened to hear that Stuart Roberts has resigned from his role as chairman of the AHDB beef and lamb sector board. I understand that he has taken this action on the principle that levy payers should determine how levies are spent.
“As a sheep farmer myself I can say that hundreds of farmers like me will be angry that promotional funding of beef and lamb by AHDB has not been approved by Government.
“It is totally unacceptable for a whole planned marketing campaign to be put in jeopardy by Government dithering and delay. Sheep farmers are now demanding increased marketing and promotion of lamb at this time in an attempt to counter low prices and make domestic consumers aware of the quality of our product.
“The Secretary of State has said that she will do all she can to help the agricultural sector during a time of critically low prices. It is vital that measures like levy-funded trade development and the promotion of peak season lamb to the British public are available.
“For the NFU it is a fundamental point of principle that levy payers should decide how their levy money is spent.
“AHDB is about to set its future strategy. This must be done with full consultation and discussion with our industry.”