The long-awaited, substantial proposal from the UK on what type of future engagement was made public by way of a 98-page White Paper yesterday. This coincided with the Irish Farmers Journal presenting its Save Our Sucklers petition the EU Agriculture Commissioner and a representative from Commissioner Malmström’s cabinet.

Brussels reaction

The vibe from Brussels today is that the paper will get a hearing, which is a necessary first step because previous suggestions by the UK have been rejected immediately. The chief negotiator is in the US at present, but the general mood around Brussels at the end of this week is that this proposal is at least a start, but nowhere near what the EU sees as acceptable.

The problem is that despite the fact that the proposals would suit farmers across the island of Ireland, it does fall foul of the EU’s sacred principle of adherence to the four freedoms of goods, capital, people and services. For the EU these have been non-negotiable and the general view is that if this is conceded to the UK now, more countries might want special relaxation of the rules and the single market would be in danger of shattering.

Ireland's position

The proposals will present a unique challenge to the Irish Government. The White Paper addresses all of the big issues for Ireland, with no physical border or checks and giving continued market access for all agricultural produce. Ireland and the UK already have and are pledged to continue the single travel area, so the free movement of people isn’t an issue either. The EU recognises that Ireland would suffer particularly from a no-deal Brexit and has made all the right noises about being supportive.

The general mood around Brussels at the end of this week is that this proposal is at least a start, but nowhere near what the EU sees as acceptable

However as negotiations begin around the UK position, the big question will be how Ireland reacts to the UK proposals and when will principles be challenged by practicalities? Will the EU dig in to such an extent that it will forsake the opportunity to “sort out” Ireland to preserve strict letter-of-the-law adherence to principles?

Farmer priorities

For farmers in Ireland the priority has to be trade. Observing the verbal gymnastics of the UK government on terms to describe customs arrangements suggests the EU could surely do likewise. For example, while EU citizens are entitled to travel to and settle in Brussels, becoming a permanent resident is quite a bureaucratic procedure. Perhaps a formula can be found, given the UK dependence on migrant labour for its farms and factories, it could do the same with a permitted system open to EU citizens. The issuing of permits would give the UK its controls and enable checks on criminality, etc, to be carried out, while if they were available to every EU citizen then that would be close to a free movement of people.

Something to work on

The White Paper is just a starting point for negotiations and many challenges lie ahead of the chief negotiator and the Westminster Parliament. However, one week on from the Chequers summit and the subsequent ministerial resignations, there is something on the table that could meet farmers' needs. Importantly, while Brussels hasn’t been gushing with enthusiasm about it, it hasn’t been dismissed within the first 24 hours either.