Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has confirmed that full access to the US market has been gained for Irish sheepmeat. This follows an agreement on a bilateral health certificate reached with the US Department of Agriculture on a veterinary health certificate for the export of Irish sheepmeat to the US which allows sheepmeat plants to formally apply for approval.
The agreement comes in the wake of the publication in December 2021 of a US Department of Agriculture rule which removed restrictions on exports of most sheep and goat products from the EU. Mr McConalogue comments that: “The speedy agreement on certification conditions comes after many years of preparatory work; in particular, USDA recognition in 2019 of the equivalence of Ireland’s sheepmeat inspection system with US domestic standards. It is therefore very much a testament to the high standards and reputation of Irish sheep farming.”
Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia’s chief executive, said that there has “never been a better time” for Irish companies to export lamb to the US. Bord Bia’s market insights show that import volumes of sheepmeat to the US have increased from 103,527 tonnes in 2015 to 166,165 tonnes in 2021.
Despite the progress, sheep chairman of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association Sean McNamara points out that farmers have become “increasingly sceptical” as to whether the opening of new markets has any real benefit for them. “In the past, such announcements have not been followed by any strengthening of prices,” Mr McNamara stated.
Adding that with the cost of inputs “through the roof”, sheep farmers should be able to command €10/kg for spring lamb this year to cover their costs.
“But that is simply not how it works unfortunately, and getting a fair price for the primary producer – one that covers the cost of production – remains as problematic as ever. The opportunity to export to US will no doubt be great news for the processors and for all others who make money off the backs of farmers. But, the fanfare associated with opening new markets is only for those who are going to reap the rewards. It is reprehensible that primary producers continually get forgotten with all the hype,” he concluded.