IFA president Joe Healy said this Thursday that as the most exposed sector to Brexit in any of the EU member states, farming has to be first in the Government’s negotiating position.
The IFA's chief economist Rowena Dwyer outlining the main Brexit issues for Irish farming. pic.twitter.com/IA1cTtMT7s
— Pat O Toole (@potooleifj) March 8, 2017
“The implications of a hard Brexit are stark. The ESRI estimates a potential reduction of EU trade to the UK of over 60% for dairy and 85% for meat,” he said. “Translating this to an Irish context would mean a fall of €1.5bn in meat exports, with dairy exports falling by over €600m.” Irish beef and cheddar exports are particularly exposed to the risk of barriers to trade with the UK.
Brexit could potentially cost Irish farmers over quarter of their incomes, such is the importance of the UK market to our agri-food sector
— Pat O Toole (@potooleifj) March 8, 2017
Priorities
According to the IFA paper, the priorities for the farming and food sector are the maintenance of the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU, while preserving the value of the UK market. A strong CAP budget is also essential following the UK’s departure, which is critical for farm incomes, farm output and economic activity in rural Ireland.
In the case of a so-called hard Brexit, with the UK leaving the EU single market as hinted at by its Prime Minister Theresa May’s recent speeches, the IFA advocates for a comprehensive free-trade agreement between the two regions. This should include the following elements:
The last point reflects the importance of the current protection offered by EU tariffs from agricultural imports from cheaper-producing countries.
The IFA also warned that the land border with Northern Ireland has the potential to disrupt trade flows and undermine animal health co-operation.
A dedicated project team led by Healy will lobby national and European institutions as Brexit negotiations unfold in the coming months. Elaine Farrell, currently IFA horticulture executive, has been appointed Brexit co-ordinator for the campaign.
The UK is expected to trigger Article 50 of the European Treaty and formally start separation talks with Brussels this month, but political tussles in the British parliament have delayed the process over the past week.
The IFA will hold a major Brexit event on 24 April with European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, IFA representatives and industry leaders in Goffs, Co Kildare.
SHARING OPTIONS