Outlook for sheep meat is positive

THE Teagasc national sheep conference, which takes place in Kilkenny tonight and in Athlone on Thursday night will be held against a difficult background for sheep farming.

However, lamb sales and sheep meat consumption are increasing in Britain and according to Bord Bia the sale of lamb in Irish supermarkets has shown the largest single increase of any of the meats in the past year. The EU is less than 80% self-sufficient in sheep meat. This figure is expected to decline further by 2015.

Considering these factors the medium to long-term outlook for sheep meat is positive.