The National Sheep Association (NSA) has said it is disappointed to hear of a well known restaurant chain removing lamb from their carvery menu.

Pub carvery chain Toby Carvery has stopped serving lamb on Sundays, blaming ongoing stock issues for the decision, a move that NSA has questioned as sustainably produced, delicious British lamb is currently in "plentiful supply".

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker commented: “With our varied British landscape producing lamb that hits the market throughout the year, availability should never be an issue – and supply is certainly not a problem now.

"NSA questions the decision of Toby Carvery to remove lamb as we know it is a much enjoyed meat for those treating themselves to a meal out and one of the most sustainable sources of protein available to us.

Stocker added that at a time when good food choices can help promote a sustainable lifestyle and support farmers who are doing such a good job of looking after the countryside, "removing lamb from the Toby Carvery menu is a huge disappointment".

"I really hope that Toby Carvery will consider reversing its decision and put delicious British lamb back on the plates for its diners to enjoy.”

The UK is a net exporter of lamb and mutton meaning that we consume slightly lower volumes than we produce, exporting around 35% of our production, said Stocker

"The UK then imports a similar volume from countries such as New Zealand.

"Consumption figures regularly reveal that lamb is a meat often enjoyed out of the home so its place on menus of establishments such as Toby Carvery is important to sustain and build on this level of domestic consumption.