Speakers at the Brexit debate organised last Friday as part of the Taste of Cavan festival gave diverging views on the role British consumers could play in the future of Irish food exports after the UK leaves the European Union.

British farmer Charles Bourns, who chairs the poultry committee of the EU-wide farm organisation COPA, said that the priority for UK farm representatives was to “ratchet up support for the Red Tractor brand” displayed on food of guaranteed British origin.

“This is how we will keep cheap Brazilian imports out: consumers will,” he added. He felt this was necessary because of the uncertainty surrounding the future of trade relations between the UK and the EU.

“If we don’t do a trade deal with the EU, we’ll get our food from cheaper countries – we won’t starve,” Bourns said.

Listen to an interview with Charles Bourns in our podcast below:

While he said it was acceptable that British farmers use the Red Tractor to defend their production, IFA president Joe Healy warned that “the UK has always had a cheap food policy”.

He also pointed to British consumers’ responsiveness to low food prices, citing the example of the 1996 BSE crisis: “There was no beef being purchased, and when the supermarkets reduced the price of it significantly on the shelves, the beef was swept off the shelves,” he said.

Listen to an interview with Joe Healy in our podcast below:

Quick or slow Brexit – which is best for Ireland?

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How will UK consumers shape the post-Brexit era?

After leaving the European Union, British consumers could choose to favour British food, turn to cheaper imports from global markets or continue to buy products from their Europeans neighbours.