As a minister coming from a border region, Charlie McConalogue knows the importance of cross-border trade to the Irish agri-economy, Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy has said.

“We look forward to engaging with the minister to ensure our beef and dairy exports to the UK are protected. It is also clear that the risk of a no-deal Brexit is a real possibility which is a big concern for young farmers at present.”

Macra has welcomed the announcement of the new Minister for Agriculture with key issues relating to young farmers outstanding on the Donegal man’s desk.

High expectations

Duffy continued: “As one of the youngest Ministers for Agriculture, our expectations are high for Minister McConalogue. Work on negotiating a new CAP with greater ambition along with the 2030 agri-strategy are key issues highlighted by our members.”

The young farmer organisation said ambitions around greater environmental sustainability at EU level must be matched with a greater budget.

We look forward to engaging with the minister to ensure our beef and dairy exports to the UK are protected

“Farm to Fork is being elevated beyond its status and being taken as a de facto guiding document on CAP, which is totally against the democratic process and without the views of farmers being taken on board,” Duffy added.

Macra warned that the changing of ministers has worried many in agriculture at a time of several critical long-term challenges.

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