Ireland pushes for increased lamb products on the dinner table

Ireland’s role in a €7.7m campaign to be launched in six European countries to encourage people to cook with lamb has been outlined by Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

Bord Bia (Ireland), Eblex (England), and Interbev (France) are involved after a successful joint application through their national authorities for matching funding under the EU promotion fund.

Mr Coveney, who made the announcement during his visit to the biennial SIAL trade fair in Paris, said this is great news for Irish sheep meat producers and processor.

He complimented Bord Bia and partners for the energy they invested in bringing the joint initiative to fruition.

“As major European sheep meat producing countries, we have a shared interest in working together to tackle the decline in sheep meat consumption,” said Mr Coveney. “We can achieve more together.”

The programme aims to stem the decline of around 20% in sheep meat consumption and production in the EU since 2000. Mr Coveney said that Ireland is the second largest sheepmeat exporter in the EU, with the sector valued at over €200m at producer prices.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association sheep committee chairman Paul Brady said it is to be hoped that investing further in this promotion will be of benefit to all, particularly the primary producers.