Monaghan IFA  Sheep Committee Chairman Eamon Markey  said the backlog of
lambs built up over the Christmas as a result of the severe weather has now
moved on and lamb finishers are finding it easier to get €5.00/kg for lamb.

Eamon Markey said all the indications are that lamb numbers will continue to
be very tight into the New Year and for the remainder of the spring.  For
2011, Eamon Markey  said Bord Bia is forecasting a reduction in sheep
slaughterings of a further 70,000 head at the meat plants.  This comes on
top of a reduction of 300,000 head in 2010.

In addition, the IFA sheep farmers’ leader said lamb numbers across Europe
will remain very tight for 2011 with the EU Commission forecasting a 3% drop
in production for the 2010 - 2015 period.  “Slaughterings in both the UK
market and the French market are projected to fall by another 1% in
2010/2011.  This will increase the import requirement in France by another
4%, up to 120,000t.”