A swift deal on trade between the EU and the UK is vital to Irish interests, according to a report on Brexit commissioned by the Oireachtas Agriculture committee.

Failing that, an extension of existing arrangements is essential to stave off WTO tariffs. Launching the document, chair Pat Deering stressed that the understanding of the difficulties posed by Brexit must be translated into support for farmers.

Listen to Pat Deering's assessment in our podcast below:

Listen to "Chairman of Agriculture Committee gives his assessment of Brexit" on Spreaker.

Any money must come from funds separate to the current CAP budget, which is needed in the schemes currently in place, added Fianna Fáil’s Charlie McConalogue.

The comprehensive report took a worst-case-scenario approach. It expressed particular concern for the beef sector, and called for a review of the Food Wise 2025 targets. It proposed support for biofuels, and stressed the need for enhanced marketing.

Listen to an interview with Charlie McConalogue in our podcast below:

Listen to "Fianna Fáil reacts to Agriculture Committee's Brexit report" on Spreaker.

On Wednesday, Charlie McConalogue introduced a bill calling for one of the Brexit report’s recommendations, the establishment of a food ombusdsman, “to protect primary producers in national law”.

Listen to Agriculture Minister Michal Creed's response to the report in our podcast below:

Listen to "Creed disagrees with call to revise Food Wise 2025 targets" on Spreaker.