A Co Wicklow livestock company has secured approval from the Department of Agriculture to operate its yard, near Roundwood, as an assembly centre for sheep exports. The company, Roundwood Park Livestock, was established in 2017.

It is now actively seeking sheep for export, a spokesperson said. It sees market opportunities in the EU, the Middle East and in north Africa. Roundwood will buy different ages and types of sheep for different markets, sourcing the sheep directly off farms.

Sheep will be exported from the assembly centre under supervision of the Department of Agriculture. The company has already been involved in export of Irish cattle via other export yards. It may become involved in exporting cattle from its yard in Roundwood in the future, the spokesperson said.