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The number of staff within DAERA that are working full-time on Brexit-related issues is continuing to increase.
“There are currently around 100 staff working exclusively on Brexit within DAERA, with additional staff across all business areas providing input as required,” a department spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Preparations within DAERA for Brexit include making amendments to legislation, considering operational implications of being outside the EU, and engaging with the UK government and other devolved administrations, the spokesperson said.
A significant number of staff from CAFRE are believed to have moved over to Brexit-related work and, as a result, there are fewer CAFRE advisers on the ground, working with farmers
“The Chequers Agreement was announced in July 2018 and since then there has been a greater focus on no-deal planning across government, including the contingency plans that would be necessary in the event of a no-deal outcome,” they added.
A significant number of staff from CAFRE are believed to have moved over to Brexit-related work and, as a result, there are fewer CAFRE advisers on the ground, working with farmers.
It is understood that discussions are taking place within CAFRE about allocating more Business Development Groups to remaining advisers, and reducing the number of meetings that each discussion group is required to have each year.
Meanwhile, in response to Theresa May’s defeat in the House of Commons on Tuesday over her Brexit withdrawal agreement, the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has reiterated that a no-deal Brexit would have “catastrophic consequences” for NI farms.
“It means high tariffs on our exports creating an effective trade embargo on export of animals and animal-based products, and the possibility of lower standard imports flooding the UK market,” said UFU president Ivor Ferguson.
With both the Conservative and Labour parties divided on Brexit, Ferguson said that cross-party support within parliament on an alternative plan could be a way forward.
“Indications are that the majority of MPs want to avoid a no-deal scenario. This is their opportunity to deliver,” he said.
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