Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
700. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of non-EU lamb slaughtered in Ireland in 2020 and to date in 2021; the origin of that lamb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60511/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLive sheep may be imported into Ireland for the purposes of breeding, fattening or direct slaughter. Traditionally, most live sheep imported into Ireland have come from the UK, including Northern Ireland. In 2020 and 2021 year-to -ate, all of the live sheep imported into Ireland have come for the UK.
- In the last full year, 2020, a total of 441,988 sheep were imported from the UK comprising of 421,855 from Northern Ireland and 20,113 sheep from Britain.
- Up to 1st October 2021, a total of 259,634 sheep were imported from Northern Ireland with none from Britain.
Sheepmeat exports worth approximately €356 million, or 64,100 tonnes were exported in
2020, up 12% in value and 3.5% in volume on 2019.
The top five destinations account for 80% of sheepmeat exports with France the number one destination, accounting for one third of exports. In total, 73% of our sheepmeat exports went to EU27 countries, up slightly on recent years, while 17% by value went to the United Kingdom.
Free movement of goods in the EU's Single Market in particular facilitates this free flow of trade and, of course, means that Ireland must be open to imports of live animals and food products from other parts of the Single Market.
The Department publishes a weekly sheep slaughter summary which provides a detailed summary of the different categories of sheep slaughtered in meat plants on a weekly basis and can be located at the following link https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/weeklypricesslaughterfigures/sheepslaughterfigures/
The following table outlines the categories of lambs and total ovines slaughtered in 2020 and 2021 (YTD, week commencing 22/11/2021)
|
Category |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Lambs/Hoggets |
793,066 |
679,955 |
|
Spring Lambs |
1,704,741 |
1,441,187 |
|
Light Lambs |
68 |
129 |
|
Total Lambs |
2,497,975 |
2,139,271 |
|
Total Ovine Slaughter |
2,884,480 |
2,467,193 |
