ICSA demand co-ordinated approach on sheep exports

A CO-ORDINATED approach to live sheep exports to maximise lamb prices has been called for by the ICSA.

Its sheep chairman, John Brooks, said a sector-wide strategy for live exports was urgently required to develop emerging markets in Europe and the Middle East.

“An integrated strategic plan is required to adequately exploit all those markets where at the moment we only scratch the surface,” Mr Brooks said.

“This should involve the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, Bord Bia, live exporters and producers all working together to develop a co-ordinated approach,” he maintained.

The comments come after confirmation that the Wexford Calf Company are to export 2,000 ram lambs.

The consignment of Mountain Blackface ram lambs is being collected by Eoin Burke of Maam Cross Mart in Galway.

Mr Burke said the contract was a real boost to the lamb trade locally, as it provided another buyer for the lambs.

The ram lambs for the contract have to be well fleshed and have long tails. Mr Burke said they are all being sourced in the Maam Cross catchment area.

Close to 50,000 sheep were exported live in 2016, but Mr Brooks maintained that this trade could be significantly expanded if the live shippers who were identifying these markets were properly supported.

Intact lambs

“Many lucrative emerging markets for live exports require intact lambs, that is lambs which have not been castrated nor had their tails docked. They also need to be trained to eat meal so they travel well. All of this requires strategic planning,” Mr Brooks explained.

“The preparation of these markets needs to start at lambing,” he said.

The ICSA has also called for the current restrictions around the holding or standstill period for sheep prior to export to be abolished. This regulation requires exporters to hold stock for up to three weeks.

“These restrictions hamper the practicalities of getting exports moving and need urgent adjustment. Similar barriers to trade do not exist for the live export of cattle, so there can be no justification where sheep are concerned,” he said.