ICSA sheep chair Sean McNamara has said that figures revealing the level of live sheep imports in 2021 do not tell the full story – as the figures for sheep imports in carcase form are just as alarming. “In the summer of 2021 Bord Bia informed ICSA that 3,500 tons of sheepmeat – in carcase form – had been imported so far that year. If those figures were repeated in the second half of the year, that would bring the total to 7,000 tons of sheepmeat in carcase form for the year. This is the equivalent of 350,000 20kg lamb carcases.”

Mr McNamara made his comments following the disclosure by Minister McConalogue that imports of live sheep amounted to 370,000 in 2021. The minister made the declaration in response to a parliamentary question posed by Deputy Jackie Cahill.

“When you add the volume of sheepmeat imported to the 370,000 live lambs imported in 2021 you are getting closer to the true extent of what local producers are up against. Sheep farmers deserve an explanation as to why factories imported the equivalent of 720,000 lambs (live and in carcase form) in 2021. We also want answers as to which markets this imported lamb is servicing; if there is full traceability; and if it’s being labelled as Irish.”

Mr McNamara said farmers are extremely frustrated that factories persist with importing live lambs and lambs in carcase form year after year. “We are an exporting nation, if there is a shortfall in supply why not give local producers the opportunity to fill these contracts rather than using imports to keep prices as low as possible.”

ENDS