Ireland must look to its own national interest as Article 50 is triggered, the President of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association, John Comer, said.

Ireland cannot rely on mere expressions of ‘concern and goodwill’ as these Brexit negotiations begin, he added.

With the extent that Ireland could be affected by a ‘hard’ Brexit, Comer believes a wait-and-see attitude cannot be adopted.

Ireland is the most affected Member State and our 130,000 farm families and the wider agri-food sector that depends on them is the most affected sector, he said.

If there was ever an issue and occasion when we must look to our own national interests, then this is it: We have to take responsibility for our interests.

There are a wide range of challenges arising from the UK’s decision to leave the EU that have to be addressed during the negotiations, according to the ICMSA President.

Challenges outlined by Comer include: currency volatility; CAP funding; landholdings on both sides of the border; and the maintenance of the Single Market – to name just a few.

The Government’s dismissal of any bilateral strand to the issue was legally correct but any agreements – whether interim or final – must recognise Ireland’s unique position, Comer said.

It’s impossible to overstate how crucial it is that Ireland is aware of, and party to, the shape of these talks from the ‘get go’.

“We don’t doubt the bona fides of the Commission; but with reference to very recent history, Ireland will have to be categorical that our centuries-old, multi-billion euro food trade with the UK is not endangered by other interests.

“Ireland, proportionately, has most at stake and we’re entitled to assurances – up front and categorical – that our interests will count just as much as other, larger, states”, he said.

Farming and food need to take ‘centre stage’

Meanwhile, the IFA President, Joe Healy, has said farming and food will have to be centre-stage in the Irish Government’s position – as Brexit negotiations begin.

“The implications are very serious for our largest indigenous industry, given the significance of the UK market for our food exports,” he said.

“No sector faces a greater threat from Brexit and we expect a strong negotiating stance by our political leaders to achieve the best outcome for Irish farming.”

The triggering of Article 50 today must concentrate the minds of everybody to deliver a deal that prioritises the core economic issues, Healy added.

The threat of Brexit is the most significant challenge facing the Irish farming and food sector in the history of the State, according to the IFA’s Chief Economist Rowena Dwyer.

Farmers expect the Irish Government to launch a major diplomatic offensive at EU level, that places our issues at the heart of the negotiations, she said.

The implications of a hard Brexit are stark: the ESRI estimates a potential reduction of EU trade to the UK of over 60% for dairy and 85% for meat.

“Translating this to an Irish context would mean a fall of €1.5 billion in meat exports, with dairy exports falling by over €600m,” she said.

An IFA Project Team, led by Joe Healy, is set to remain in close contact with the Oireachtas, Government Departments, the EU Commission and the EU Parliament in the coming weeks.