As reported by Matt Dempsey from the Oxford Farming Conference last week, the UK Minister with responsibility for farming, Michael Gove, said he was “confident of building a new economic partnership with the EU that guarantees tariff-free access for agri-food goods across each other’s borders”, referencing Irish beef and milk leaving Northern Ireland as examples.

While confidence and ambition by the Minister is welcome, in itself it won’t deliver the continued tariff-free access.

A full opening of the UK market at a tariff-free rate is of no practical benefit to Irish farmers if their beef is offered alongside the Brazilian equivalent that is currently worth just €2.39/kg at the farm gate.

Ultimately, maintaining the current trading relationship between Ireland and the UK depends on a customs arrangement that aligns with what is currently in place. This maintains access to the UK market as it currently is for EU and non-EU suppliers and nothing else will deliver what farmers need.