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The ideal scenario would be for Britain to stay in the customs union post-Brexit, according to LacPatrick CEO Gabriel D’Arcy.
D’Arcy made the comments when speaking on Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 last week.
In the interview, which addressed the issue of the border, the LacPatrick chief emphasised the importance of keeping the new arrangement of the border similar to that of today.
“It is fair to say that the food and [agriculture] industry on both sides of the border by and large would like the new regime, whatever that is and when it takes shape, to stay as close to the existing regime as possible.
“That is the yard stick to which I would look at this. At least we would be looking at Britain ideally to stay in the customs union.”
Stephen Donnelly
Also speaking on the show was Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Brexit, Stephen Donnelly, who said that agri-food would be no doubt damaged by Brexit.
“In these negotiations, what damages Britain will damage Ireland.
“So Gabriel’s members (LacPatrick suppliers) who are trading agri-food north and south of the border are going to be damaged by Brexit.
“We need to minimise the disruption of that to those members and to that trade,” he said.
Brexit papers
Last week saw the UK release two papers on Brexit, outlining future plans on what will happen in the event of Brexit.
The first, released on Tuesday, outlined the UK hopes of securing a temporary Customs Union with the European Union after Brexit, while a long-term deal is worked out.
Wednesday saw a paper published focusing on Northern Ireland with the UK, saying that there must be no hard border between Ireland and the UK post Brexit.
These papers were the first detailed draft proposal on future partnerships between Britain and Europe since the negotiations started.
It comes almost 14 months after last June’s referendum.
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