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There is a growing fatigue and frustration at the continuing Brexit uncertainty among the remaining 27 EU member states, according to MEP Mairead McGuinness.
McGuinness said the uncertainty can not be allowed to continue indefinitely.
Ahead of a crunch European Council meeting to discuss an extension to Brexit, the Fine Gael MEP said other important issues were not being dealt with as a result.
The conclusion of negotiations around the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is the EU’s seven-year budget, and the opening of trade talks with the US are two issues that have been put on the back burner.
McGuinness said the perceived lack of trust between the EU and the UK was concerning, as any talks on the future relationship between the two would not be straightforward either. Fishing and trade were two areas she said would be difficult to find a solution on.
Uncertainty
The current uncertainty is affecting businesses already, McGuinness said. She pointed to the fact that it is increasingly difficult to secure cold storage in Ireland and the UK.
Beef was one area that was given special mention.
McGuinness said it was clear Brexit had dragged down prices for farmers. She added that a negative outcome for Irish beef would be a negative outcome for the entire EU beef market.
Similar to the effect BSE had on the EU, she said what hits one member state will hit all member states.
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