The IFA has said that the Government must ensure it doesn’t get “outmanoeuvred” by other countries when it comes to drawing down money from the Brexit support fund.

The farm organisation was responding to reports on Thursday that the French government was targeting the €5bn EU Brexit fund for French fishermen, with IFA president Tim Cullinan saying that the sector worst affected by Brexit would be Irish farming.

“[The] IFA has campaigned strongly in Brussels to ensure that this fund was put in place. The Irish Government must ensure they don’t now get outmanoeuvred by other countries,” he said.

Top of the queue

“While efforts continue to secure a deal, the Irish Government must ensure that we are at the top of the queue for the Brexit support fund.

“Even if we secure a deal, there will be regulatory barriers to trade and a real risk that the value of the UK market will be undermined,” he said.

As reported in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, there are no upsides for farmers with Brexit, with the sector in the firing line.

A deal has yet to be reached, with fisheries holding up progress. However, it is believed that a basic no-tariff, no-quota trade deal is close.

Read more

Brexit reality becoming clear

Brexit certificate issue won't hit fresh beef sales