Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a table of sheep prices similar to that produced for beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25559/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I support the principle of maximum price transparency at all levels. In Ireland, producer prices at export meat plants are published weekly by An Bord Bia. This includes a comparison with EU lamb markets.

One of the recommendations of the Sheep Strategy group was a move to mechanical grading of sheep, as is done for cattle. This will provide an objective assessment of quality and enhance price transparency. My Department has facilitated trials on mechanical grading and the results are currently being considered.