Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the countries to which Irish lamb has been exported in each of the past five years; the number of new markets established; the existing markets lost; his projections for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37786/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Irish sheepmeat has been exported to the following countries in the period from 2003 to 2007. EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom. Non-EU Countries: Ghana, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Tunisia, Vatican City.

Approximately 70% of Irish sheepmeat production is exported. In 2007, Ireland exported 53,266 tonnes of sheepmeat, of which 99.9% was destined for the high-value EU marketplace. The absence of export refunds together with a production deficit within the EU means that the market focus is on Europe and there is little penetration outside the EU.

Traditionally, the major export market for Irish lamb within the EU has been France which in 2007 accounted for 26,945 tonnes, or just over 50% of exports. While the French market has been in decline due to a fall in consumption and demand there coupled with strong competition from the UK and new Zealand this has been made up by increases in other markets. Exports to Sweden and Denmark have increased significantly in recent years. Seven countries accounted for 99% of sheepmeat exports in 2003 and the same seven countries also accounted for 99% of sheepmeat exports in 2007, namely: France, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.

The number of new potential markets for Irish lamb is limited due to the relatively high cost of the meat and also due to cultural factors, as lamb is not widely eaten in many countries of Eastern Europe. As a result, promotional efforts are targeted at maintaining and developing existing markets, including the home market.