A CONTRACT to provide Dartmoor lamb to ten of the South West’s Morrisons stores has been hailed as a ‘major breakthrough’ by one local farmer.

Lovers of Dartmoor’s iconic landscape can now ‘taste the view’ by purchasing prime lamb from a selection of Morrisons stores in a new initiative that sources lambs from the Dartmoor Farmers’ Association (DFA).

All members’ farms are within the Dartmoor National Park area.

The association was formed in 2007 with the support of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales with the aim of promoting the link between upland livestock production and the environment. 

Many of the farms have common rights and play a vital role in managing the moor and conserving Dartmoor’s iconic wildlife.

The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project helped to facilitate the formation of the group and continues to provide support and assistance where needed.

The livestock reared on the farms are predominately native breeds which are able to withstand the extremes of weather experienced during a typical year on Dartmoor. Many are born on the hill and are grazed on semi natural habitats where they are reared. This produces a wonderfully pure product with a superior flavour and texture to the meat. 

Studies, including that by Professor Henry Buller at Exeter University, have proven that livestock fed on natural bio-diverse grass diets will result in a leaner meat with higher nutritional value, good fats and antioxidants.

Member of DFA Matt Cole, who farms at Yelverton, said the stores would be taking 250 lambs a week from the association: ‘Farmers are struggling. Our costs are rising but our produce stays at the same price or lower. There are now 60 of us working in this new partnership with Morrisons and it is a major breakthrough.

‘We now feel as if we are being valued and not just taking a price we are being given. It may be just 10p or 20p above the market price but it puts us in front a little bit.

‘We are delighted to be working in partnership with Morrisons and importantly to provide local people with the opportunity to support us and the environment of the national park.’

The association is keen to promote the role that members play as custodians of the national park and to explain the benefits that livestock production delivers for the area’s landscape and wildlife.

Many of the participating families have farmed on Dartmoor for generations, supporting the link between the home farm and the moorland and maintaining the ancient traditions of commoning.Matt added: ‘Farming in an upland area is challenging but delivers so many benefits in addition to the production of quality meat.

‘When someone supports us by purchasing our lamb at Morrisons they are also making an investment in conserving the landscape and communities of the national park.’

Members of the association are involved in agri-environment schemes and also sign up to a set of principles which look to reduce food miles and ensure traceability. 

Among the group’s objectives is to seek to share their skills and knowledge with future generations of farmers in order to deliver a sustainable farming future. They are also working to develop opportunities to engage with the public through on farm events and activities.

Lamb supplied by Dartmoor Farmers’ Association is available through Morrisons stores in Tavistock, Liskeard, Kingsbridge, Totnes, Teignmouth, Bude, Verwood, Bath, Bideford and Penzance.