On Thursday and Friday last week, the Irish Farmers Journal held conferences in Belfast and Dublin in association with AIB-First Trust to discuss the challenges faced by the industry in light of the Brexit vote and the changing global trading environment. With up to 90% of agri-production destined for export markets, the conference highlighted the challenges faced by agribusinesses and farmers and the importance of the industry to the rural economy. While the challenges of Brexit were a large part of the discussion, international trade agreements, market access, and strong customer relationships were seen as some of the opportunities.

Read key insights from some of the speakers at the conference:

  • Defend the UK market while building international trade – Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia
  • We will be hard-nosed in these negotiations – Aidan O’Driscoll, secretary general of the Department of Agriculture
  • UK farmers could be ‘sacrificial lambs’ in Brexit – European Commissioner Phil Hogan
  • NI industry has time to prepare for Brexit – Michael Haverty, Andersons
  • A weak pound is better for UK farming – Graham Redman, Andersons
  • The future of Irish exports lies in building relationships – Adrian Crean, McDonald’s Ireland
  • Lessons in trade from New Zealand – Ambassador Sir Lockwood Smith
  • Similar to beef, Irish dairy exports to the UK could be hit hard by WTO tariffs – Michael Haverty, Andersons

    • Listen to interviews with some of the speakers in our podcasts below:

    Listen to "Navigating Global Trade" on Spreaker.

    Read more

    Listen to "Declan Billington on Brexit" on Spreaker.

    Editorial: Irish and British farmers both exposed to Brexit fallout