Representatives from the meat trade continue to oppose new legislation which would make it mandatory for abattoirs to classify sheep carcases and officially report prices paid to the Livestock and Meat Commission.

Similar legislation is in place for beef and pigs, although in the sheep sector, a voluntary arrangement whereby factories do classify sheep and report prices has operated in NI for over 20 years. Legislation introducing mandatory sheep classification and price reporting across Britain was put in place towards the end of 2025, although it is not common in other EU countries, including the Republic of Ireland.

During a meeting with the Stormont Agriculture committee last Thursday, members of the NI Meat Exporters’ Association (NIMEA) argued that the current voluntary system is not broken, so there is no need for legislation here.

ADVERTISEMENT

In particular, they pointed out that processors in Britain are allowed to trim carcases to two different specifications at the weigh scale, one of which removes the kidneys and kidney fat.

Yet to comply with the proposals from DAERA, the kidneys will have to be left in by NI processors. With three different specifications in operation, it is not a straight comparison of prices across regions.

“You’re going to have something left on our lambs that’s not going to be left on lambs from other places. So therefore, you’re going to be paid less in some shape or form because the customer has to tidy that up,” said George Mullan from ABP.

As well as the lack of consistency around dressing, NIMEA also argued that there is a food hygiene concern as the dressing specification set out in draft legislation will require them to leave a longer tail as it must be severed between the sixth and seventh caudal vertebrae.

In practice, when the skin is being taken off, there is a higher risk of dirt from a longer tail getting onto the back of the carcase, which then needs to be trimmed off.

According to Mullan, more contamination issues have been seen in Britain since the new requirements around tail length came into practice at the start of the year.

“Our biggest concern is hygiene. Yes, there’s commercial implications for us, but it’s hygiene first and foremost,” added Neil Swann from Dunbia.

At last Thursday’s committee meeting, members did not take a vote on whether to support the legislation – it is due to be debated by all MLAs before the end of April.