James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind the Deputy the question put down on the paper by himself is simply the amount in tonnes of sheep meat being imported and exported from the State each year. Had he mentioned traceability in his question, he probably would have got a more specific answer.

We are answering the question he asked. The Minister in his reply is quite assured that any meat import from third countries, including Great Britain, is subject to certification requirements and the import control system operated by his Department at border control posts. Traceability standards of Irish meat are strictly enforced through our regulatory system. The Minister is committed to ensuring our sheep sector is protected for current and future generations. The Irish sheep sector is critically dependent on international trade and Ireland cannot unilaterally depart from the rules governing international trade. If it did, the impact of reciprocal action from our trading partners could be severe for our export-dependent agricultural sector. Irish sheep meat has been successful in accessing developing new market opportunities locally and internationally. An Bord Bia will continue to promote sheep meat markets and target segments based on trade customer and consumer and market insights.

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