Ireland needs a soft border with the UK, but there will be no “special deal” from Brexit for farming. These were the clear and stark messages from Monday’s IFA Brexit conference. Goffs Arena in Co Kildare was packed as the implications for Irish farming of the secession from the EU of our nearest neighbours and greatest market were spelled out.
IFA president Joe Healy reiterated the key findings of the IFA’s Brexit analysis. That Ireland needs access to a high-value UK market, which a hard border would make very difficult, and that CAP shorn of the British net contribution must be fully funded.
ADVERTISEMENT
EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan made it clear that while there is widespread recognition in Brussels and across Europe of the unique problems Brexit poses for Ireland, no unique deal is possible.
Hogan described a bilateral Ireland-UK deal as “an absolute non-starter”. Instead, Ireland needs to be in the vanguard of negotiations that deliver a rational and workable final outcome.
Hogan also poured cold water on the idea that a sector-specific deal for farming could be achieved. He did concede that more could be done regarding support tools for post-Brexit markets, the third plank of IFA’s policy.
“We’re not going to be in the business of punishment beatings for the people of the UK. We have to respect their decision,” Hogan added.
He did suggest that Britain is softening its initial stance.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed asserted that the positive contribution of farming to our economy and society must be at the forefront of issues in upcoming Brexit negotiations. He said: “I can assure you that as a Government, it is to the forefront of ours.”
Creed announced a seven-point plan to increase the footprint of our food and drink exports, with a focused market-access committee reporting directly to Aidan O’Driscoll, the Department secretary general, and increased Departmental resources.
Creed’s point that it is a two-way street – Ireland is the main source of UK food imports – was backed up by some of the detail provided by industry leaders. For instance, Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne pointed out that over half of the beef consumed in the UK is minced beef, which must be minced within eight days of slaughter. This would be difficult for third countries to achieve. Against that, Jim Woulfe quantified a possible tariff on cheddar cheese as being 16c/l; half the current milk price.
Listen to farmers' reactions at the event in our podcast below:
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Ireland needs a soft border with the UK, but there will be no “special deal” from Brexit for farming. These were the clear and stark messages from Monday’s IFA Brexit conference. Goffs Arena in Co Kildare was packed as the implications for Irish farming of the secession from the EU of our nearest neighbours and greatest market were spelled out.
IFA president Joe Healy reiterated the key findings of the IFA’s Brexit analysis. That Ireland needs access to a high-value UK market, which a hard border would make very difficult, and that CAP shorn of the British net contribution must be fully funded.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan made it clear that while there is widespread recognition in Brussels and across Europe of the unique problems Brexit poses for Ireland, no unique deal is possible.
Hogan described a bilateral Ireland-UK deal as “an absolute non-starter”. Instead, Ireland needs to be in the vanguard of negotiations that deliver a rational and workable final outcome.
Hogan also poured cold water on the idea that a sector-specific deal for farming could be achieved. He did concede that more could be done regarding support tools for post-Brexit markets, the third plank of IFA’s policy.
“We’re not going to be in the business of punishment beatings for the people of the UK. We have to respect their decision,” Hogan added.
He did suggest that Britain is softening its initial stance.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed asserted that the positive contribution of farming to our economy and society must be at the forefront of issues in upcoming Brexit negotiations. He said: “I can assure you that as a Government, it is to the forefront of ours.”
Creed announced a seven-point plan to increase the footprint of our food and drink exports, with a focused market-access committee reporting directly to Aidan O’Driscoll, the Department secretary general, and increased Departmental resources.
Creed’s point that it is a two-way street – Ireland is the main source of UK food imports – was backed up by some of the detail provided by industry leaders. For instance, Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne pointed out that over half of the beef consumed in the UK is minced beef, which must be minced within eight days of slaughter. This would be difficult for third countries to achieve. Against that, Jim Woulfe quantified a possible tariff on cheddar cheese as being 16c/l; half the current milk price.
Listen to farmers' reactions at the event in our podcast below:
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS