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Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and the European Commission are in negotiations over the necessary interventions required in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Both Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and Tánaiste Simon Coveney told the Dáil that a team from the Department was meeting with the EU Commission to look at specific supports for farmers, particularly those in the beef sector.
In a statement on Wednesday Minister Creed said that "any tariff regime is unambiguously very serious for Irish agri-food exports to the UK, and most particularly for the beef sector which would be worst affected."
He described the tariff regime published by the UK as complex and said that "the Government is currently analysing the detail in the proposals and the potential serious and negative impact for the agri-food industry."
Tailored packages
The possibility of establishing a central Brexit stability fund was raised by Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane in the Dail. However, Tánaiste Simon Coveney rejected the proposal, saying it would be overly simplistic.
Instead, he said the Department of Public Expenditure would negotiate tailored support packages for each sector.
Minister Creed and his Department have been engaged with the Department for Public Expenditure over the last number of weeks on how a support package could be put in place for the agricultural sector.
The Tánaiste emphasised that the Government had put a lot of thought into this, while also warning that it would cost the State money and may lead to a deficit in the budget.
While it would be a significant challenge, he said, the Government is willing to borrow money or dip into its rainy day fund if required.
In the dark
Fianna Fáil spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConologue said it was unacceptable that farmers were in the dark on what supports would be available.
Minister Creed responded by saying there could be no response from the EU Commission before any action takes place. He went on to offer assurances to both farmers and the agri food sector that there would be appropriate supports in place if and when they are required.
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