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Ireland needs a soft border with the UK, but there will be no “special deal” from Brexit for farming. These were the clear and stark messages from Monday’s IFA Brexit conference. Goffs Arena in Co Kildare was packed as the implications for Irish farming of the secession from the EU of our nearest neighbours and greatest market were spelled out. IFA president Joe Healy reiterated the key findings of the IFA’s Brexit analysis. That Ireland needs access to a high-value UK market, which a hard border would make very difficult, and that CAP shorn of the British net contribution must be fully funded.
Ireland needs a soft border with the UK, but there will be no “special deal” from Brexit for farming. These were the clear and stark messages from Monday’s IFA Brexit conference. Goffs Arena in Co Kildare was packed as the implications for Irish farming of the secession from the EU of our nearest neighbours and greatest market were spelled out.
IFA president Joe Healy reiterated the key findings of the IFA’s Brexit analysis. That Ireland needs access to a high-value UK market, which a hard border would make very difficult, and that CAP shorn of the British net contribution must be fully funded.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan made it clear that while there is widespread recognition in Brussels and across Europe of the unique problems Brexit poses for Ireland, no unique deal is possible.
Hogan described a bilateral Ireland-UK deal as “an absolute non-starter”. Instead, Ireland needs to be in the vanguard of negotiations that deliver a rational and workable final outcome.
Hogan also poured cold water on the idea that a sector-specific deal for farming could be achieved. He did concede that more could be done regarding support tools for post-Brexit markets, the third plank of IFA’s policy.
“We’re not going to be in the business of punishment beatings for the people of the UK. We have to respect their decision,” Hogan added.
He did suggest that Britain is softening its initial stance.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed asserted that the positive contribution of farming to our economy and society must be at the forefront of issues in upcoming Brexit negotiations. He said: “I can assure you that as a Government, it is to the forefront of ours.”
Creed announced a seven-point plan to increase the footprint of our food and drink exports, with a focused market-access committee reporting directly to Aidan O’Driscoll, the Department secretary general, and increased Departmental resources.
Creed’s point that it is a two-way street – Ireland is the main source of UK food imports – was backed up by some of the detail provided by industry leaders. For instance, Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne pointed out that over half of the beef consumed in the UK is minced beef, which must be minced within eight days of slaughter. This would be difficult for third countries to achieve. Against that, Jim Woulfe quantified a possible tariff on cheddar cheese as being 16c/l; half the current milk price.
Listen to farmers' reactions at the event in our podcast below:
Food economist Ciaran Fitzgerald questions supermarket dominance in the food supply chain and highlights how it stifles innovation and limits competition.
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