Stories are now evolving that large volumes of UK sheep meat is entering Irish plants. At present prices are currently under the $6/kg mark. There are now concerns that UK meat is going to be used to undermine prices are a very crucial point in the season, due to the supply of spring lambs increasing.
For many years UK lamb was restricted under the animal health regulations, this was mainly due to the prevalence of bluetongue and then later due to the bluetongue vaccination programme within the UK. These times have now passed and there are no restrictions between the UK and Ireland.
There are also unconfirmed reports of whole lamb importing from Wales.