National Sheep Association

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is the trade association in the UK for sheep farming.

The Association is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry.

History
It was formed in 1892 as the National Sheep Breeders Association. In 1969 it changed to its present name. It was initially established to facilitate communication between progressive breeders and improve sheep breeding management as well as provide a unified voice for the sheep industry.

The association is a registered charity.

Structure
It is situated near the Three Counties Crossroads of the B4208 and Hanley Road (B4209) near Hanley Swan, opposite Langdale Wood, specifically in the north-east corner of the Three Counties Showground. It receives no government funding.

Regions

 * Central
 * Marches (Welsh border area)
 * Eastern
 * South East
 * South West
 * Wales
 * Northern
 * NSA Scotland
 * Northern Ireland

Function
It represents the UK sheep industry. NSA Scotland hosts the annual Scotsheep event. There is the NSA South Sheep event. Every two years (biennial) it has the NSA Sheep event at the Three Counties Showground.

It publishes the trade journal every two months called Sheep Farmer.

News items

 * Sheep taxi service in July 2009
 * Llamas guarding lambs in West Sussex in June 2008
 * Livestock farmers under threat in November 2007
 * Mutton gambols in October 2007
 * Sheep industry improving in September 2004
 * Sheep working out cattle grids in West Yorkshire in July 2004
 * EU help in September 1999
 * Proposed EU ban on meat-on-the-bone in December 1999