Factory lamb price cuts ranging from 25c/kg to 40c/kg imposed at the end of last week and news of a consignment of 1,100 sheep carcases (reported as totalling 23t) imported from Britain by Irish Country Meats (ICM) on Monday continue to dominate sheep trade discussions.

IFA sheep chair Sean Dennehy reacted angrily to both developments on Monday morning, stating: “Farmers are outraged that factories, in the same week as they attempt to pull the price of lambs and hoggets, would use imported lamb to fill orders.

“There is enormous farmer anger at using imports to fill contracts, while cutting the prices they are offering farmers here.”

Greater oversight

The situation progressed to a meeting on Tuesday evening between a delegation from IFA and management in ICM Camolin, the plant which accepted the carcases. In the wake of the meeting, the IFA is calling for greater oversight from regulatory authorities to validate procedures around imports.

IFA is demanding the three agencies audit all procedures around the importation, processing and labelling of this product

Dennehy said: “Factory management were left in no doubt that undermining prices by importing product to fill orders will not be tolerated. Factory management assured the meeting this product is re-exported, primarily to the EU market; is fully compliant with the regulatory labelling requirements; and does not carry the Bord Bia QA logo.

“It is up to our competent authorities – the Department of Agriculture, the Food Safety Authority and Bord Bia to assure farmers this product is not misrepresented as Irish sheepmeat. IFA is demanding the three agencies audit all procedures around the importation, processing and labelling of this product to ensure the integrity of Irish lamb is protected.”

ICM has refuted any accusations that imports are being used to put pressure on domestic prices and said the imports are compensating for current seasonal tight supplies.

“Irish Country Meats has built a strong export retail customer base servicing over 25 markets that sits alongside our developed domestic market business. To support a consistent 52-week supply for our customers, the company’s lead boning hall in Camolin, Co Wexford, sources carcase lambs from other locations in ROI/NI & UK,” it said.

“The development of a complementary European export retail business has helped to remove the historical exposure to a volatile export carcase trade and has demonstrated a sustained and improved return to Irish farmers.”