Here are some of the actions industry representatives told the Agriculture Minister could be taken now:

  • Prepare for seamless border controls: we know there will be some sort of border after Brexit, and Scandinavian countries already operate systems to allow trade to flow freely between EU and non-EU countries. Let’s start a project now to see how they do it, study their IT tools and adapt them to the new borders between the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain.
  • Draw up a Brexit risk assessment template: instead of multiple companies and advisory groups duplicating efforts to envisage the implications of Brexit, a single 10- to 20-page document covering the aspects agri-food companies should prepare for should be made available from a lead organisation such as IBEC.

    • Watch an interview with AIB's head of agri, Anne Finnegan, in our video below:

  • Allocate budget resources to Brexit: the Government’s next budget should display clearly where funds have been flagged to address Brexit-related needs. “This is a key ask: that the budget reflects the seriousness of the situation,” said Maurice Hickey of Largo Foods, reporting for the prepared consumer foods group at the all-island dialogue.
  • Promote foreign language education: if Ireland is to become less reliant on the UK, we need more people who speak the languages of new export markets to diversify there. The Government should fund specific efforts in this area. Watch an interview with Bord Bia chief executive Tara McCarthy on developing alternative markets in our video below:

  • Agree a moratorium on regulatory change: regardless of the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU, both sides could agree that they will keep regulations on labelling, packaging and food standards unchanged for a period after Brexit. This will give businesses a degree of certainty that they can keep at least marketing similar products in both jurisdictions while they adapt to other changes, such as potential tariffs, border controls, etc.
  • Designate key agri-food sectors as employers of skilled labour: many farms and food processors in the UK, including Northern Ireland, depend on foreign labour. Having those workers recognised as skilled labour could help obtain work permits for them when promised British immigration restrictions kick in after Brexit.
  • Use ISIF to invest in diversification: the State-controlled Ireland Strategic Investment Fund could support efforts by agribusinesses to open new markets. One of the avenues suggested is export credits.
  • Develop biomass support: opening a Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme in the Republic and fixing the controversial RHI equivalent in Northern Ireland will offer alternative domestic outlets for the forestry sector if Brexit erects barriers to trade.

    • Watch an interview with IFA president Joe Healy on Brexit in our video below:

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