The chief executive of the country’s largest beef processor has said a British exit from the EU would have serious consequences for the agri sector here.

Speaking this week at an Irish Exporters Association event in Dublin on the potential implications of a British exit, ABP CEO Paul Finnerty sounded a warning for Irish agriculture. Observing that the UK imports approximately one-third of its beef requirements, with Ireland its primary trading partner, Finnerty highlighted the threat posed by South American beef in the event of a British withdrawal from the European Union.

“The Mercosur region of South America produces food more cheaply and to different standards than European countries,” he said.

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“If the British were to withdraw from the EU, they will likely negotiate free trade agreements with South American countries which would have serious unintended consequences for Irish agriculture. The end result would likely be price deflation, which would have a negative impact on Irish cattle prices and the 80,000 to 90,000 farming families dependent on Irish exports,” said Finnerty.

On the issue of foreign nationals and British concerns about the freedom of movement, Finnerty was unequivocal on the positives of movement from a business perspective.

Finnerty referenced strong independent evidence that foreign nationals who travel to work are net contributors to the economies to which they move for work.

Finnerty cautioned against complacency on the vote, noting the four million votes cast for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Britain’s recent general election.