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A no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for farmers in Ireland and the UK and must be avoided, IFA president Joe Healy said on Tuesday, after the British parliament voted 432 to 202 against prime minister Theresa May's withdrawl agreement.
“The prospect of a crash-out Brexit is a serious threat, which would be catastrophic for farmers on the two islands and hugely damaging to the interests of consumers.
“Dicing with a cliff-edge Brexit is madness for everybody,” he warned.
Healy will be in Brussels on Wednesday for a meeting with EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, where he will be looking for firm commitments of Commission support for Irish farmers who would feel the full force of a no deal scenario.
Solidarity
“It’s time for EU solidarity to be converted into tangible support. Some of our sectors – beef, dairy, mushrooms – will be very badly exposed and will require significant financial assistance.
“We have grave concerns regarding the dangers of a no-deal outcome that would cause massive disruption to the normal trade flows between the two countries, on which farmers greatly depend for their livelihoods.”
ICSA president Patrick Kent said that the defeat of Theresa May's Brexit deal in the House of Commons has raised the level of risk for the Irish beef sector to status orange.
We must prepare for the worst
"It is now urgent that the Government undertakes a concerted push to get EU agreement on special measures to underpin the beef sector.
“While we must remain hopeful that common sense will prevail, we must prepare for the worst.
"A special package to buy displaced Irish beef into emergency storage or intervention is the minimum required.
"This is not just in Ireland's interest, it is also essential to avoid catastrophic disruption of the entire EU beef market,” he said.
'Time is almost up'
Reacting to the news on Tuesday night, president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said: "I take note with regret of the outcome of the vote in the House of Commons this evening.
"On the EU side, the process of ratification of the withdrawal agreement continues.
The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening's vote.
"The withdrawal agreement is a fair compromise and the best possible deal.
"It reduces the damage caused by Brexit for citizens and businesses across Europe. It is the only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union," he said.
President Juncker said that the European Commission, and notably chief negotiator Michel Barnier, has invested enormous time and effort to negotiate the withdrawal agreement.
"We have shown creativity and flexibility throughout.
"The risk of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom has increased with this evening's vote.
"While we do not want this to happen, the European Commission will continue its contingency work to help ensure the EU is fully prepared.
"I urge the United Kingdom to clarify its intentions as soon as possible.
"Time is almost up," he said.
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