Problems of extensive sheep farming systems

OF all the common farmed species in the UK, sheep are probably perceived by the non‐farming public as being the most 'naturally' kept, particularly when farmed extensively on vast areas such as the Pennines, the moors of Devon and Cornwall, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and the mountains of Wales. Hardy breeds such as the Herdwick, Swaledale, Welsh Mountain and Scottish Blackface have been developed over centuries to survive the harsh conditions commonly encountered during the long winter months. However, such a system of farming has many risks associated with it, in spite of its generally perceived 'green' image.