To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the percentage of lamb and beef, and derived products, sold in Northern Ireland that originate from outside (a) Northern Ireland; (b) the UK; and (c) the UK and EU combined; and (ii) any steps being made to incentivise companies and supermarkets to use Northern Irish beef and lamb.

HMRC Regional Trade Statistics show that Northern Ireland imported meat and meat preparations (this includes pig and poultry meat) with a value of £442m from EU and £4m from non-EU in 2020. However, these figures do not necessarily reflect the country of origin of the product but only where the product was purchased from by the Northern Ireland importer. There are no equivalent figures available for trade from GB to NI. The Department does not hold any statistics on the origin of meat and meat products sold in Northern Ireland.

I am passionate about promoting our Northern Ireland food products. My own ambition is for Northern Ireland to be recognised both at home and abroad as a world-class food-producing region, known for its sustainability, quality, safety and knowledge based approach. I have written to the main NI retailers to encourage them to make greater use of product sourced from NI farmers.

In addition I have recently opened my Department’s Northern Ireland Regional Food Programme, which seeks to raise the profile of quality regional food. This year the programme will also provide support for a NI consumer focused promotional campaign. This campaign will cover all sectors of the NI food industry highlighting the quality, sustainability and reputation of the food that is produced on local farms.