December 24, 2007

Northern Ireland's chicken imports up by 800 percent in two years

Chicken imports into Northern Ireland showed an 800-percent growth in two years, stirring dismay among farmers, environmentalists and politicians.

The huge increase occurred in just the first six months of 2007. Ulster Unionist assembly member, Tom Elliott, said he was astounded to hear that in the first two quarters, 1,253 tonnes of chicken was imported into Northern Ireland.

In 2006, there was just a total import of 302 tonnes. Last year, 13 consignments of chicken were received from Thailand.

However, in the first six months of 2007, 13 consignments of chicken were received from Thailand in addition to 62 consignments from Brazil.