Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which markets remain lucrative throughout Europe and further afield for Irish lamb and lamb products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38476/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Irish sheepmeat was exported to more than 30 markets last year, which is testament to the world-class product produced on our farms.

The introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023 combined with the rollout of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 demonstrates my commitment to supporting sheep farmers. Between the support I have provided under these two schemes, €20 per ewe is available to sheep farmers in 2024, the highest payment ever made to this important sector.

Sheep production is a vital source of income for many farmers, particularly in upland areas, and provided the raw material for the export of over 65,000 tonnes of sheepmeat worth €420m last year.

Approximately 15% of the sheepmeat produced in Ireland is consumed domestically, with the balance being exported.

The EU market remains the primary outlet for Irish sheepmeat, accounting for the bulk of sheepmeat exports in both value and volume terms. Within the single market, France is the largest market and was worth €134m in 2023. Other important EU markets, in order of magnitude, were Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. These six markets combined accounted for almost €300m in exports; equivalent to 71 percent of the total value of sheepmeat exports in 2023 and 66 percent of total volume.

Underpinning the Food Vision 2030 goal of developing and diversifying market outlets for meat exports are the support measures provided by my Department to improve the competitiveness and productivity of primary producers.

As noted, in April of this year I launched the National Sheep Welfare Scheme which is worth €15m and provides an additional €8 per ewe payment to sheep farmers and compliments the multi-annual Sheep Improvement Scheme funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) until 2027. Other interventions available to the sheep sector under the CSP are ACRES, TAMS and the Organic Farming Scheme organisations.

Bolstered by these supports, Irish sheep farmers can continue to produce a safe, sustainable, high-quality product that is in demand across many global markets.

I will continue to support sheepmeat exports through targeted supports for producers, trade mission and other activities to expand market access and the funding of Bord Bia marketing campaigns nationally and internationally.