The lead EU negotiator on Brexit spent the final leg of his two days in Ireland on a tour of the border region including a meeting with business representatives hosted by Michael Hanley, chief executive of Lakeland Dairies. While we didn’t hear anything particularly new, it was symbolically significant that he dedicated two days and in particular that he went to see for himself just how what will be the EU border with the UK works at present. It is also significant that it was his own idea – he made a request for a visit to his colleague in the European Commission, Phil Hogan, who passed it on to Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan.

Host

Lakeland was the ideal host to demonstrate the cross-border nature of agribusiness on the island of Ireland. It has three factories in Monaghan and Cavan, with two in Co Down in Northern Ireland. Hanley made four proposals to Barnier, who was accompanied by Commissioner Hogan, Minister Flanagan, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphries, and Mairead Mc Guinness, MEP.

In his presentation, Hanley suggested there should be tariff-free status or at least tariff suspensions on agricultural products. Ideally this would be on a UK-Republic of Ireland basis but if this was not possible at least on a north-south basis to reflect the historic trade on the island of Ireland.

A technology-based border without a physical dimension

He also suggested that the future border should be a technology-based border without a physical dimension that would minimise the disruption to trade. Physical checks or inspections should be carried out at business premises or ports and airports.

Transition

Given the length of time required for farmers and industry to transition, Michael Hanley also asked the EU chief negotiator that there would be a comprehensive transition agreement incorporating a free-trade arrangement to delay the disruptive effect of legal and customs formalities. This should also include island of Ireland access to the 53 EU free-trade agreements currently in place in order to enable seamless continuation of trade.

UK market

The final request was money to enable the industry refocus its business away from production of products designed for the UK market. In dairy this is cheddar cheese in particular while beef is equally dependent. This requires investment and he called on the EU to provide funding to address this unique situation along with a relaxation of EU capital grant rules.

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