Both Dawn Meats and Dairygold are investing in the UK aspects of their businesses, the chief executive officers (CEOs) of both companies told an IFA Brexit event this week.

Niall Browne, CEO of Dawn Meats, and Jim Woulfe, CEO of Dairygold, were speaking at the IFA’s Brexit: the imperatives for Irish farmers and the agri-food sector event, held in Goffs, Co Kildare.

When asked whether either company had invested in the UK, Browne said export is not a big part of Dawn Meats’ UK business as it retains 90% of what it processes in the UK in that market.

“We are continuing to invest in the UK as we are in Ireland. Yes, we have a Brexit team, we’ve run through all the scenarios, we’re investing in market diversification and training of our people – but it is looked at differently.”

Woulfe said, like everything to do with the co-op, the company has a project group working on strategy.

“All I can say at this point in time is that we will invest and we are investing in the UK. We’re not shying away from that market.”

Brexit threat

Opening the event, IFA president Joe Healy said Brexit has the potential to decimate Irish agriculture and Europe must protect Ireland’s farmers.

“A hard Brexit with the enforcement of World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs would have disastrous consequences for all farming sectors.”

Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan told delegates at the event that the best outcome after Brexit is for a comprehensive free trade agreement between the EU and UK.

Hogan said there will be no special deal for agriculture as a result of the negotiations and that the continued pursuit of such an outcome is folly.

On food standards, he said all other countries must rise to Irish and European food standards, not the other way around.

Challenge

The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, told those attending the event that Brexit is the greatest challenge Ireland has faced since the foundation of the State.

He continued that there is no upside for Ireland from Brexit and that we must retain “unfettered access” to the UK market after Brexit.

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