Next Monday, 24 April, the IFA will host a major event to draw attention to the unique issues facing Irish agriculture in Brexit and the need to put farming at the top of the negotiation agenda, not only in Ireland but at EU level.

This IFA event, Brexit – The Imperatives for Irish Farmers and the Agri-Food Sector, brings together political leaders at Irish and EU level, including European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, as well as key stakeholders in the Irish farming and food sector, who will set out the critical areas for Ireland in the negotiations and what must be delivered to secure the interests of Irish farmers.

No other member state and no other sector is as exposed in these negotiations. The IFA has highlighted the serious threat Brexit presents to Irish farming and our agri-food sector at every opportunity and has in recent weeks met the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and lead EU negotiator Michel Barnier to press the case for a strong negotiating stance by European political leaders to achieve the best outcome for farming.

The IFA is building support from other EU farm organisations for its policy position that, if the UK exits the single market and customs union, there must be a comprehensive free trade agreement between the EU and UK, which would include tariff-free trade for agricultural products and food; maintenance of equivalent standards on food safety, animal health, welfare and the environment; and, application of the Common External Tariff for imports to both the EU and UK.

You can watch the event live on www.ifa.ie or on the IFA’s new app – download it at www.ifa.ie/app. We will be updating on Twitter and Facebook during the day.