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Brexit has the potential to add a cost of €250/t to cheddar cheese exported to the UK, according to Dairygold CEO, Jim Woulfe.
Using a local example he said that in 2017, Dairygold exported 30,000t of cheese from Mitchelstown to the UK.
Breaking it down to a standard load he added: “It takes 24 hours for a return journey per truck to the UK."
If extra checks are required in terms of transport, he said: “Dairygold estimate Brexit will add eight hours per journey.”
The Limerick native was speaking at the Future of Agriculture, Brexit and CAP meeting in Mitchlestown, Co Cork, on Monday night where he cautioned that when that cost is factored in: “It will be half a cent/litre and the last place we want to place that cost is on the primary producer.”
Stressing that Brexit adds nothing but costs, Woulfe said: “There is no economic logic to Brexit and it brings complexity and creates unnecessary jobs, particularly in low margin industries.”
He lamented the fact that while at farm and co-op level they are putting a focus on lean management and efficiency at business and farm level it’s the complete opposite with Brexit.
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