As the Irish Farmers Journal went to press, there were signs that a deal between the EU and UK on a future trading relationship was close.

Agreeing access to UK waters for EU fishing boats is the biggest obstacle remaining, but the gap has closed.

If a deal is agreed, trade can continue without tariffs or quotas for Irish meat and dairy to Britain, but it will require veterinary health certificates and customs declarations be completed.

The UK parliament is on standby to ratify a deal and while it is too late for the EU parliament to ratify, if a deal is agreed it could operate provisionally.

It will also mean the UK can conclude other trade deals with countries outside of the EU for meat and dairy products that could displace Irish products.

However, they could not enter Northern Ireland, and trade across the Irish border will continue uninterrupted, irrespective of the outcome of negotiations.