The latest market research data from Taylor Nelson Sofres reveals that three of the six largest and most-prominent multiple retailers in the UK are stocking significant quantities of New Zealand fresh lamb.

The UK industry has been feeling the pressure of recent health scares on its ability to fight for market share.

At one retailer more than half of the fresh lamb sold in the four weeks to October 7 was from New Zealand, while for the other two it was between a quarter and a third of fresh lamb.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has used the data to place the retailers in order based on the percentage of fresh lamb sales.

Somerfield had by far and away the most New Zealand lamb on its shelves, followed by Tesco, with J Sainsbury a close third.

The other three major players - Asda, Wm Morrison and Waitrose - were stocking no or small amounts of New Zealand product, the study found.

These figures have enraged the NSA as the UK sheep industry faces financial meltdown as a result of a backlog of lambs due to movement and export restrictions introduced after the foot-and mouth-outbreak.

Prices for prime lambs are now regularly below 70p per kilo for heavy lambs, assuming a buyer can be found.

The market research by Taylor Nelson Sofres follows findings by the Meat & Livestock Commission (MLC) that showed that the average retail price for lamb was 2.2% higher than it was before the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Prices to farmers, however, had dropped by nearly a quarter.

The MLC analysis of retail and farmgate price changes since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth on August 3 reveal that back on August 4 the average retail price of lamb was £9.88 per kilo while the average price paid to farmers was £2.58p per kilo.

By October 20, the average retail price had risen 2.2%, or 21.9p per kilo to £10.10 per kilo, but the price paid to farmers had fallen by 23.4%, or 49p per kilo to £2.09p per kilo and was still falling.

Commenting on the Taylor Nelson Sofres data, NSA chief executive Peter Morris said: "Words fail me in respect of the three worst offenders. How, when there is a UK sheep industry virtually in meltdown, they have the gall to have so much New Zealand product on their shelves is beyond my comprehension.

"It is disgraceful, appalling and the management and decision-makers within those companies should hang their heads in shame."

l The European Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health yesterday decided to allow meat exports from most of the UK to resume as normal and without restriction following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The zone immediately around the previously infected farms will remain banned from the export market and the export of livestock, semen and embryos is still not permitted.