Last Friday, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, hosted the fourth in a series of all-island sectoral dialogues to discuss the implications of Brexit for the agri food sector. The focus of last week’s discussions was the implications of Brexit for the Irish equine and greyhound industries.

Speaking after the event in Portlaoise, Minister Creed highlighted the importance of these sectors, for the rural economy in particular, and referred to the unique range of issues they have to deal with in a Brexit context.

He said: “We are all familiar with the important economic, social and cultural roles that the equine sector plays in Ireland, to the great benefit of rural communities in particular. It is also true to say that they are among the most highly integrated sectors with their UK counterparts.

“Issues such as the importance of maintaining the Tripartite Agreement covering the movement of horses between Ireland, the UK and France, as well as all-island administrative and other aspects of the industry’s day-to-day operations were teased out in some detail. ”

Concluding, Minister Creed said: “Notwithstanding the ongoing uncertainty in relation to Brexit, we must continue to prepare as diligently and as comprehensively as we can. Today’s dialogue with the equine and greyhound sectors was an important further step in this regard, and I look forward to ongoing co-operation with these sectors as the negotiations unfold.”