Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for asking the specific question because I ask myself in the same question five mornings a week as when one drives up to the lights at Slane, one sees loads of lamb coming down from Northern Ireland to our factories. However, the direct answer to the Deputy's question is "No". There are figures available to back this up and the single most important point is that it is not viable for lambs to be brought from England or from Scotland directly down through Northern Ireland to the factories here, because the price difference is only €1.20 per lamb. Moreover, when compared with the figures from this time last year, the figures for this year's kill indicate that 65,000 fewer lambs came down from Northern Ireland than was the case last year. In addition, there has been an increase of 7% in overall production here in the lamb trade due to the good prices. While one is disappointed that the price of lamb has not held up when compared with last year, it remains a lot better than was the case in the previous two years.

Our records show that no sheep were imported through Larne for direct slaughter in Ireland during the period in question. The Northern Ireland authorities have also confirmed that no such imports have occurred. Sheep slaughtering in Ireland for the year to date has increased by 10% or more than 182,300 head, to a maximum total of approximately 1.95 million. Throughout 2012, a higher demand from both the domestic and export markets was evenly matched with supplies, particularly during the peak periods of hogget and new season lamb supply. When compared with the highs of 2011, this year’s average price of €4.71 per kilogram is marginally back by 10 cent per kilogram on last year's price. However, in an overall context, Irish sheep prices have performed consistently well throughout 2012 and are well above 2009 and 2010 prices.

The June sheep census results published by the Central Statistics Office in October indicate that total sheep numbers in Ireland increased by as much as 7% compared with a year earlier, reflecting renewed producer confidence in the sector as a result of firm lamb prices since 2010. The breeding flock had increased by 6%, year on year and the number of ewes under two years of age had increased by 12%, suggesting that further flock rebuilding is likely, which in turn may increase the supply of lambs on the market here. Other sheep numbers, which mainly consist of lambs from the 2012 crop, showed an increase of 7% when compared with June last year.

Additional information not given on floor of the House.

Lamb production in 2012 as a whole will be higher than last year and the census figures indicate that a further increase is possible in 2013.

On a positive note, sheepmeat exports to international markets almost doubled to 600 tonnes during the course of 2011. This generates a great confidence boost for Irish exporters. While almost 99% of our lamb exports are to the European Union, it is always beneficial to have a wide range of outlets available and to this end my Department, together with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, continues to work to secure access to more third-country outlets for Irish lamb. I announced the opening of the Singaporean and South African markets to Irish lamb over the summer. There is strong demand for all meats globally at present and my Department and I remain committed in our efforts to ensure that the Irish sheep sector is able to take full advantage of all of the opportunities that will arise as a result of this demand.

See this speech in context