Vol. 501 No. 1
116 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans, if any, he has to develop and expand the sheep meat industry with particular reference to lamb exports in the European market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5501/99]
122 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent to which market research has been undertaken with the objective of identifying consumer demands in the mutton and lamb industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5508/99]
130 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the extent of research and development undertaken in respect of breeding, production, sales, marketing and promotions in respect of the sheep meat industry; the number of new lines on sale in this regard; if these are as a result of market research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5484/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 122 and 130 together.
Research and development is ongoing within the sheep sector and covers a wide range of areas from primary production and breeding to marketing and sales. In relation to breeding and production, it is carried out mainly by the Department, Teagasc and the universities. The main objective of this is to improve the efficiency of Irish sheep production by focusing on the quality and meat yield of the lamb crop.
As regards market research, this is largely a matter for An Bord Bia who, in conjunction with the industry, focus their efforts on the EU market which is our main lamb export outlet. Given that France accounts for almost three quarters of our export sales, 43,000 tonnes in 1998, market research and promotion naturally concentrate on this market to a greater degree than elsewhere. Market research in relation to the sale of light lamb tends to focus on Southern European countries including Spain, Portugal and Italy. Research has been done also to assess the possibilities for increasing our sales in Germany and in the Nordic countries.
While the industry has made considerable progress in establishing valuable export markets for Irish lamb, it is my intention to ensure that improvements in quality and traceability are such as to ensure we are in a position not only to consolidate but to increase our presence on these markets.
