Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware of the pressure the sector is under at the moment. It is a changed situation from a few months ago and, indeed, what the situation was last year. The new sheep welfare scheme is kicking off at €12, which is up from €10 previously. As the Deputy said, that is small in the context of the change in price from last year.

I have been engaging closely with regard to getting full assessments from Bord Bia and insight into what is happening in the market. I stand to be corrected, but 40% of world traded sheep meat is in China. That has led to displacement of Australian and New Zealand sheep meat to other parts of the world market and depressed it in recent months.

I am monitoring the situation closely. I am very much aware of it. There is nothing planned at the moment but I am closely assessing the situation.