With the exchanges between the UK and EU over Brexit becoming ever tetchier, ideas that could break the impasse have been notably absent.
Part of the problem is that the internal UK position hasn’t been fully crystallised as there is a debate ongoing on what type of Brexit the UK wants.
On the other side, while Irish agriculture faces disaster with a hard Brexit, for the rest of the EU 27 it doesn’t matter all that much.
The reason why the EU 27 can afford to be more relaxed about Brexit than Ireland. We on just 5% of all EU 27 sales to the EU would be liable for 19% of tariffs at WTO maximum rates therefore killing our beef and cheese exports in particular because they carry the highest tariffs.
Much is made of Germany’s exposure to the UK market for its car industry. They account for 28% of all EU sales to the UK yet in last weekend’s leaders’ debate ahead of the German election, Brexit didn’t get a mention as they focused on Turkey, road tolls and Qatar hosting the world cup.
Special economic zone
With Ireland having such exposure to the UK through beef and cheese sales in particular, no country has as much interest in a solution being found. Ideas are scarce but one of the conundrums that is an EU precondition before real talks start on trade, the Irish border, has been the subject of fresh thinking.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has suggested that Northern Ireland be designated a special economic zone (SEZ) within the UK with flexibilities to engage with the EU.
If all parties agreed, that would assist in solving trading issues around agricultural produce on the island of Ireland.
Currently substantial quantities of Irish pigs move north for processing and almost half of Northern Ireland’s lambs come south for processing, as does around 30% of its milk.
Difficulties
Two difficulties arise. Firstly, there is a sensitivity in Northern Ireland about anything that could be perceived to diminish its status in the UK, and secondly there is the need to address the practicalities.
The great fear at the EU end of special arrangements is the risk of Ireland becoming a back door for wider EU produce access while on the other hand the Republic of Ireland could be a back door for people wanting to access the UK.
While Germany and the rest of the EU can probably afford to sit back and let Brexit happen with limited financial consequence, this is not the case for Irish farmers
While a local solution may address the logistics of agricultural trade on the island of Ireland, it doesn’t begin to address the bigger problem of continued access to Britain for Irish produce on the same terms as are currently enjoyed.
While Germany and the rest of the EU can probably afford to sit back and let Brexit happen with limited financial consequence, this is not the case for Irish farmers.
An idea that might break the logjam on the island of Ireland would be a welcome start if it gets the support it needs to become a reality.
However, it is access to the British market and what level of access other third countries have that will shape the real impact on Irish agriculture in the years ahead.
Read more
Irish border won't be a precedent for rest of EU-UK discussions
Australia and New Zealand trade talks next on EU agenda
With the exchanges between the UK and EU over Brexit becoming ever tetchier, ideas that could break the impasse have been notably absent.
Part of the problem is that the internal UK position hasn’t been fully crystallised as there is a debate ongoing on what type of Brexit the UK wants.
On the other side, while Irish agriculture faces disaster with a hard Brexit, for the rest of the EU 27 it doesn’t matter all that much.
The reason why the EU 27 can afford to be more relaxed about Brexit than Ireland. We on just 5% of all EU 27 sales to the EU would be liable for 19% of tariffs at WTO maximum rates therefore killing our beef and cheese exports in particular because they carry the highest tariffs.
Much is made of Germany’s exposure to the UK market for its car industry. They account for 28% of all EU sales to the UK yet in last weekend’s leaders’ debate ahead of the German election, Brexit didn’t get a mention as they focused on Turkey, road tolls and Qatar hosting the world cup.
Special economic zone
With Ireland having such exposure to the UK through beef and cheese sales in particular, no country has as much interest in a solution being found. Ideas are scarce but one of the conundrums that is an EU precondition before real talks start on trade, the Irish border, has been the subject of fresh thinking.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has suggested that Northern Ireland be designated a special economic zone (SEZ) within the UK with flexibilities to engage with the EU.
If all parties agreed, that would assist in solving trading issues around agricultural produce on the island of Ireland.
Currently substantial quantities of Irish pigs move north for processing and almost half of Northern Ireland’s lambs come south for processing, as does around 30% of its milk.
Difficulties
Two difficulties arise. Firstly, there is a sensitivity in Northern Ireland about anything that could be perceived to diminish its status in the UK, and secondly there is the need to address the practicalities.
The great fear at the EU end of special arrangements is the risk of Ireland becoming a back door for wider EU produce access while on the other hand the Republic of Ireland could be a back door for people wanting to access the UK.
While Germany and the rest of the EU can probably afford to sit back and let Brexit happen with limited financial consequence, this is not the case for Irish farmers
While a local solution may address the logistics of agricultural trade on the island of Ireland, it doesn’t begin to address the bigger problem of continued access to Britain for Irish produce on the same terms as are currently enjoyed.
While Germany and the rest of the EU can probably afford to sit back and let Brexit happen with limited financial consequence, this is not the case for Irish farmers.
An idea that might break the logjam on the island of Ireland would be a welcome start if it gets the support it needs to become a reality.
However, it is access to the British market and what level of access other third countries have that will shape the real impact on Irish agriculture in the years ahead.
Read more
Irish border won't be a precedent for rest of EU-UK discussions
Australia and New Zealand trade talks next on EU agenda
SHARING OPTIONS