Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Sheep Meat Imports.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

291 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if New Zealand sheep meat is imported for sale in this country; if so, the amount imported each year; the percentage of the market this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8902/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The quantity of New Zealand sheep meat imported directly into Ireland and the percentage of the domestic market which it represents, is as follows:

	Quantity	Percentage of Market
1996	18 Tonnes	0.06
1997	269 Tonnes	0.09
1998 (4 months)	145 Tonnes

In addition, there may have been some quantities of New Zealand product originally imported into the UK, which was transferred to the Irish market through the retail distribution networks of UK based supermarket chains. As the product had entered into free circulation in the European Union before transfer to Ireland, it would not have been registered as an import and would not be included in the available statistics. All of the New Zealand product imported directly into Ireland was frozen.