There have been formal rounds of trade talks between the EU and both the US (through TTIP) and the Mercosur countries in South America in the last two weeks. Both largely went under the radar as the mood in Europe is now focused on the Brexit fallout and elections in key EU countries next year.

However, it was the sheepmeat sector that took centre stage at home and in Brussels this week. We had the announcement by Minister for Agriculture Creed of the opening of the Iranian market, which will be a useful addition to existing markets rather than a game changer in itself.

It is unlikely to be a significant market for full carcases or indeed the higher-value cuts. Rather, it will complement high-value EU markets that use higher-value cuts from the loin and legs, leaving the shoulder and flanks as the likely products for export areas outside the EU. Also, countries with a significant Muslim population are always an attractive proposition for sheepmeat exporters, as they are strong markets, particularly around Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.

Sheepmeat forum

Also, the long-term well-being of the EU sheep industry received a boost this week with the completion of the work of the EU sheepmeat forum. This organisation included farmer, factory and levy body representatives throughout Europe, and met for the first time last November under the chairmanship of former IFA president John Bryan. The IFA, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and Bord Bia were the Irish contributors and, after a series of four workshops, reported this week to Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan. The fourth and final session concluded in Brussels this week, with a roadmap to a sustainable and successful EU sheepmeat industry presented to Commissioner Hogan.

The report outlines a series of measures to strengthen the market through a communication and promotion programme and rural development measures targeted at active sheep farming in particular, with special assistance for young farmers. It also moves sheep price reporting on to a par with other meats, with a market price observatory to be set up for sheepmeat. Flexibilities on cross-compliance, simplification and sheep identification were also included in the final report.

The recommendations of the forum provide a positive policy framework for an economically and environmentally sustainable sheepmeat sector

It was fully embraced by the IFA and MII on behalf of Irish sheepmeat processors. IFA national sheep chair John Lynskey, who participated in the forum, said: “The recommendations of the forum provide a positive policy framework for an economically and environmentally sustainable sheepmeat sector.”

He went on to highlight the benefit of sheep farming in areas of rural Ireland that weren’t particularly suited to other farming enterprises and the contribution of sheep farming to the delivery of public goods to wider society.

MII director Cormac Healy urged Commissioner Hogan to put the funding in place to enable the programme outlined be delivered. He said that while “the EU market is only 87% self-sufficient … imports have had a disproportionate impact on viable market returns”. He went on to say this needs to be tackled and the programme would drive support for EU production.

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EU council of ministers focused on internal business