Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I will ask a few questions. Stakeholders representing the sheep sector have been before the committee regarding the profitability of the sector The figures we were given indicate that €7 per ewe is the average return, which makes it very hard to make any kind of viable income from sheep farming.

A couple of questions come to mind. What is the percentage divide between mountain lamb versus lowland lamb? I was very surprised to hear the breakdown showing the small amount of organic lamb that is there. Surely, virtually all mountain lamb would qualify as organic, if it were labelled as such. While the reasons for the carcase weight have been very clearly stated, it is obviously a huge barrier to the financial return for the flock owner. When a lamb gets to that weight, it will put on a few extra kilos very quickly and easily. Is there any potential, through genetics, for us to produce a lamb of leaner quality at a higher weight that would manage to give a better return per ewe? We have seen the genetic potential in dairy, beef etc., where genetic improvements have seriously improved the economic breeding index, EBI, of cows. We see in cattle that genetics have improved to show what animals have the greatest meat yield. Is it possible we can do the same with sheep? Can we produce a lean lamb at a higher weight?