Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2006
422 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total production, home consumption and export of venison in each of the past five years; the extent to which markets have expanded or contracted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25004/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraFigures available from 2002 show the number of deer slaughtered in export-approved plants as follows:
|
Year |
No. of head slaughtered |
|
2002 |
1,759 |
|
2003 |
1,278 |
|
2004 |
1,079 |
|
2005 |
957 |
These figures do not include a significant number of animals now being sent to Northern Ireland. The Central Statistics Office does not publish data on the level of domestic consumption or exports of venison, which is classed as "other meat" for statistical purposes. However, the greater part of production is destined for the export market.
Fallow deer is exported to Denmark while red deer is supplied to the supermarket chains in Ireland and the UK and also to restaurants at home and in the US. There is severe competition from larger, lower cost producers abroad, especially Scotland and New Zealand. There are indications that so far in 2006 the market is improving due to more buoyant demand on the home and export markets.
