It’s over a decade since the UK voted to leave the EU and in the following years, Irish farmers were terrified by the prospect of a no-deal Brexit. That was avoided with a basic trade deal that avoided penal tariffs on agri-food produce but it didn’t prevent the introduction of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on goods that are from animals or plants.
Over the past couple of weeks, the merits of Brexit are back on the political agenda in the UK.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has floated the idea that rejoining the EU could be included in his party manifesto ahead of a future UK general election.
He made these comments at his Labour Party conference and repeated the analysis in parliament this week. While Irish exporters have adapted to the increased bureaucracy of the UK now being outside the EU, it would be very much in the interest of Irish farmers for the UK to rejoin.
If they did, it would reduce the cost of trade and would bring the UK under the EU umbrella in future trade negotiations, preventing the give-away quota policy on agri food that has occurred in UK trade deals to date.
For farmers in Northern Ireland, it would also remove the complexities of the Windsor Framework and remove hurdles that seed importers face, as well as eliminating any future uncertainty around access to veterinary medicines.
There have been positive noises in the rest of the EU about welcoming a UK return, and while it would likely take some time even if it is agreed, it would benefit farmers and the agri food industry across the island of Ireland should it come to pass.
It’s a long way off and may never happen, but it’s interesting to see the kite being flown.
