Brexit Update – The South of Ireland Branch, Suffolk Sheep Society.
All information correct at time of publication
26th February 2021
When the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union on the 23rd June 2016 I don’t think any of us fully understood the implications in general and how things would work out in practice for our industry. Fast forward nearly 5 years and the pedigree livestock sector is now grappling with the changes required to satisfy new legislation and directives, in particular with the registration of pedigree animals in EU and the movement of breeding livestock between Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. We are still operating in an extremely fluid environment with uncertainty and changes in direction becoming the norm. For the most of you, the impact of Brexit on how you manage your pedigree enterprise on a day to day basis is minimal and that is unlikely to change, but for others it is creating major challenges.
At a Society level, we are implementing a range of requirements to protect the interests of the Society and support all of our members as the required changes in our practice, processes and structures are unfolding.
Flock Book Developments
The major organisational challenge arising from Brexit is that the EU no longer recognises British based Pedigree Societies operating in their geographical areas. This means that European livestock can no longer be included in the British Suffolk Sheep Society flock book (ie database). We have been working closely with our database service providers (Grassroots) and DAFM to separate the flock books and to get formal recognition from the Department for the South of Ireland Branch as a Society in its own right. There are absolutely no issues with buying, selling and transferring sheep between members in Ireland and the DAFM application is to enable the issue of certificates for the movement of sheep to other legal jurisdictions including GB. The application is progressing well with a number of the key elements already approved. However, all of this means that from the beginning of March 2021 UK based flocks will be separated from European Flocks. These changes will be publicised on the Society websites and social media pages when it goes live.
Sheep Registration in Ireland
When registering sheep you will be issued with pedigree certificates as before – the only difference is that they will have the South of Ireland variation of the logo and the address is the South of Ireland Branch registered office address in Dublin. Apart from that it looks exactly the same as the current pedigree certificate. You will be able to use these certificates to transfer sheep between flocks as before.
Livestock Movement between GB & Northern Ireland/Ireland
At the time of writing this circular, there are a number of issues impacting on Society operations and events with regard to the movement of livestock between GB (England, Scotland & Wales) and Northern Ireland/EU. Because Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom with an EU land border (ie Republic of Ireland) and although it is part of the United Kingdom and within the UK trading area, it is now considered part of the EU regulation area. This means that there is no change to the processes and regulations for the movement of livestock from Northern Ireland to GB (England Scotland & Wales), nor for the movement of animals between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
However, for the movement of livestock from GB to Northern Ireland/Ireland, the same regulations apply as to the importing of livestock from any third country to the EU. At this point in time the key areas of impact are unsold animals or purchases at sales in GB being moved to Northern Ireland/Ireland, the tagging of animals being exported from GB to Northern Ireland/Ireland flocks and the status of marts used by the Society in GB in relation to the issue of Export Health Certificates for either the repatriation of sheep or the import of GB bred consignments. We are of course working through these issues with the various government departments, along with other key stakeholders, and once clarified, details will be circulated to members and published on the society websites.
1971-2021 CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SUFFOLK BREEDING IN THE WEST OF IRELAND
The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club publish a 50th Anniversary Magazine to mark tremendous milestone in their history.
Click on the cover page below to read articles from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., ‘The Origins of the Suffolk’, a trip down memory lane and much much more.
If you would like a copy, please get in touch with any of the committee or at woisuffolk@hotmail.com and it can be arranged. You can also visit their website here or click the links below.
South of Ireland Branch Premier Show and Sale – Blessington 2020
Castleisle Kilteskin Prince achieves top price from P O’Keeffe
Date: 1st August 2020
Auctioneer: JP & M Doyle
Judge: Campbell Watson, Bannview Flock
62% clearance for the largest pedigree Suffolk sale in Ireland despite Covid-19
| LOT NO. | FLOCK | PRICE IN EUROS | BUYER |
| 41 | BLACKWATER | 6,500 | AJ & N Robinson |
| 112 | ERRIGAL | 3,000 | R Tait |
| 94 | BARRONSTOWN | 2,600 | D McCaughren |
| 93 | BARRONSTOWN | 2,200 | M O’Neill |
| 131 | FINNVALE | 2,100 | F Collard |
| 34 | KILLYCLUG | 2,000 | K Casey |
| 46 | ANNAKISHA | 1,800 | G Conroy |
| 114 | ERRIGAL | 1,700 | T Feeney |
| 170 | BARRONSTOWN | 1,700 | PJ Howard |
| 42 | LIMEPARK | 1,600 | J Trimble |
| 64 | BEECHBROOK | 1,500 | R Sands |
| 124 | CONVOY | 1,400 | M McNally |
| 150 | BEECHBROOK | 1,300 | C Finnegan |
Click here to view top price Blackwater NBK:20:06088
Show Results
Male and Supreme Champion
Lot 74 Eamonn Duffy
C46:20:03050 by Limestone T-Rex
Reserve Male and Overall Reserve Champion
Lot 46 Arthur O’Keeffe
R15:20:06089 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
Female Champion
Lot 24 Kenneth Bailey
HDC:20:00121 by Cairness Corker
Reserve Female Champion
Lot 16 James O’Connell
DBJ:20:02213 by Shannagh Synergy
Single Shearling Ewe
1st Lot 9 J Hanly
G4:19:02544 by Limestone Lowry
2nd Lot 8 Kenneth Bailey
HDC:19:00066 by Cairness Foremost
3rd Lot 4 Coote Geelan
F56:19:01208 by Errigal Tubridy
Single Ewe Lamb
1st Lot 24 Kenneth Bailey
HDC:20:00121 by Cairness Corker
2nd Lot 16 James O’Connell
DBJ:20:02213 by Shannagh Synergy
3rd Lot 19 David Quinlan
UHZ:20:01537 by Mullaghboy Goliath
Ram Lamb Sired by a SOI Bred Ram
1st Lot 46 Arthur O’Keeffe
R15:20:06089 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
2nd Lot 118 Mssrs Wilson
78A:20:06695 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
3rd Lot 78 Susan O’Keeffe
BYD:20:02462 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
Novice Ram Lamb
1st Lot 42 Philip Byrne
TJW:20:00024 by Strathisla Speed
2nd Lot 91 B & G Doyle
UTX:20:00146 by Castleisle Capaldi
3rd Lot 170 J & E Gahan
SKW:20:00531 by Ballynacannon Royal Flush
Recorded Ram Lamb Class
1st Lot 136 Arthur O’Keeffe
R15:20:06082 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
2nd Lot 94 J & E Gahan
SKW20:00546 by Limestone Aston Martin
3rd Lot 97 J A Doherty
CFN:20:02960 by Strathbogie A Kind Of Magic
Open Ram Lamb
1st Lot 74 Eamonn Duffy
C46:20:03050 by Limeston T-Rex
2nd Lot 81 Andrew Wilson
DDX:20:01174 by Castleisle Capaldi
3rd Lot 41 by Patrick O’Keeffe
NBK:20:06088 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
Gigot Class
1st Lot 123 L & A Kilpatrick
PWW:20:00194 by Birness Hustler
2nd Lot 137 Arthur O’Keeffe
R15:20:06091 by Castleisle Kilteskin Prince
3rd Lot 149 Colin Watchorn
PXL:20:00549 by Crewelands Oscar
Club Reports – West of Ireland 2019
West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeders Club
The West of Ireland Registered Pedigree Suffolk Sheep Breeder’s Club continued to grow from strength to strength in 2019, with an increased membership and some great successes throughout the season.
NSBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Club was well represented at the NSBA National Championships in Kilkenny where Gerry Killilea, Carragh Flock built on his success from 2018 achieving 3rd place in the Trimmed ewe Lamb class.
FLOCK COMPETITIONS
The Club enjoyed great success in the National Flock Competition with Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock receiving Certificates of Merit in The W E Lloyd Cup for his flock of 31 – 60 Ewes. He also received Certificates of Merit in Ewe Lamb Class, Flock of over 30 Ewes, and Stock Ram with Errigal Jack the Lad, in the South of Ireland Flock Competition. Congratulations also to Gerry Killilea, Carragh Flock who took Reserve in the Ewe Lamb Class and who also received a Certificate of Merit in the Flock of over 30 Ewes.
SHOWS & SALES
The Sales season kicked off for the club in Blessington at the SOI Premier Show & Sale where the Club was well represented by many of its members .Congratulations to Kenneth Bailey, Lismurtagh Flock who won the Ewe Lamb Class and then went on to achieve Reserve Champion Female with his Ewe Lamb
The Big Boy Ram Sale in Carrick-on-Shannon was a great success, with a strong representation of the Suffolk Breed by Club members where the Suffolk breed achieved the second highest price on the night.
This was followed by the clubs own Premier Sale in Roscommon with a large entry of superbly turned out sheep, ably judged by Seamas Browne, Errigal Flock. He was very impressed with the standard of sheep produced by the Club with Supreme Champion going to Canon Joe Delaney, Roscree Flock and Reserve Champion going to Kevin and Mattie Kelly, Summerhill Flock. Female Champion went to Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock with his Ewe Lamb.
Our Second sale took place in Athenry with another large entry and very successful sale. The Supreme Champion went to Michael & Marie Jennings, Ballygarris Flock and Reserve to James Cuffe, Inbhear Flock.
At our 3rd Club Show & Sale in Roscommon, Supreme Champion went to Michael & Marie Jannings, Ballygarris Flock with their Open Ram Lamb Winner. Reserve went to James Cuffe, Inbhear with his winner in the Novice Class.
The Club ended its Year with Club Flocks DeBurca, Carragh and Kirriemuir presenting superbly well turned out females at the All Star Female Sale in Blessington in November .
PREMIER SHOW & SALE, ROSCOMMON MART – 31st August 2019
FULL RESULTS
CHAMPION : Canon Joe Delaney
RESERVE : Mattie & Kevin Kelly
EWE LAMB: 1. G. Graham, 2. G Killilea, 3. L. Higgins & D. Airlie
SHEARLING RAM: 1. P.Hillary
NOVICE RAM: 1. Canon J. Delaney, 2. G. Graham, 3. K. Bailey
RECORDED RAM: 1. G.Killilea, 2. T. Burke, 3. M&M Jennings
OPEN RAM: 1. Canon J. Delaney, 2. M&K Kelly, 3. M&M Jennings
ATHENRY SHOW & SALE (Evening) – 20th Sept 2019
CHAMPION : Michael & Marie Jennings
RESERVE: James Cuffe
EWE LAMB: 1. G. Killilea, 2. G. Graham, 3. L. Higgins & D. Airlie, 4. P. Colleran
SHEARLING RAM: 1. G. Graham, 2. G. Graham
NOVICE RAM: 1. J. Cuffe, 2. M. McDonagh, 3. C. Hughes, 4. G. Graham
OPEN RAM: 1. M&M Jennings, 2. J. Cuffe, 3. M. McDonagh, 4. C. Hughes
ROSCOMMON 2ND SHOW & SALE – 28TH SEPT 2019
CHAMPION: Michael & Marie Jennings
Reserve : James Cuffe
SHEARLING RAM : 1. E. Campbell, 2. G. Graham, 3. T. Burke
NOVICE RAM: 1. J. Cuffe, 2. G. Graham, 3. E&T McKeever
OPEN RAM: 1. M&M Jennings, 2. J. Cuffe, 3. G. Graham
As a Club, we are delighted with what has turned out to be one of our most successful years ever. We took part in the very successful Big Boys Ram sale for the first time ever. Clearance rates at our sales were some of the highest recorded within the club. Many of our members enjoyed successes at the many Agricultural Shows throughout the summer season, showcasing the Suffolk breed to an incredibly high standard. Many of our members were present on the Suffolk stand at the National Ploughing Championships, which played host to the largest ever recorded attendance.
The standard of breeding lines within the club continue to improve and the quality of stock being produced is a testament to the investment our breeders are putting into their bloodlines.
We would like to extend a huge Thankyou to anyone who supported the Club this year, including the Suffolk Sheep Society, Suffolk Council, all our buyers, sponsors and marts and last but not least, our Club members themselves whose hard work and dedication continues to improve the breed standard within the club and showcase the Suffolk Breed to its full potential.
Chairman : Garth Graham, Kirriemuir Flock
Secretary : Trevor Burke, DeBurca Flock
Treasurer : Marie Jennings, Ballygarris Flock
Champion Athenry 
Champion Roscommon Second Sale 
Male and Female Champions WOI Premier Sale
