UK sheep farming involves approximately 33 million animals facing welfare challenges including lambing difficulties, blowfly strike, foot rot and transport, alongside positive aspects of outdoor extensive systems.
Sheep welfare in UK extensive systems is better than in many intensive systems but still involves significant challenges. Blowfly strike causes extreme suffering — the sensation of being eaten alive by maggots is considered among the worst welfare experiences that farmed animals endure. Foot rot causes chronic lameness and pain affecting a significant minority of animals in affected flocks. Prolific breeds selected for multiple births experience higher rates of difficult lambings and lamb mortality. The cognitive complexity of sheep — their ability to recognise faces, demonstrate individual personalities and show emotional responses — argues for welfare standards that reflect their sentience rather than treating them as simple grazing units.