Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of sheep and lambs from Great Britain slaughtered in the six lamb factories here (details supplied) for 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008 with a monthly or weekly breakdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37443/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The majority of imported sheep presented for slaughter in Irish plants come from or through Northern Ireland and a small number of these would have originated in Great Britain or beyond. All imported sheep are accompanied by veterinary certification. While the identification and certification of imported sheep is checked at the plants prior to slaughter, records of these are not maintained at central level in the Department. The table shows the total number of sheep imported from and through Northern Ireland that were slaughtered in the six named factories for the period requested. I cannot supply a breakdown for each of the named plants individually as this information is a commercial matter.