The announcement made by Minister Simon Coveney that Ireland is set to receive €1.05 billion in 2021 under the EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve has been welcomed by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA).
Commenting on the news, as revealed by AgriLand on Tuesday night (January 12), ICSA president Edmond Phelan said:
“News that the EU Commission has proposed that 25% of this important fund should be allocated to Ireland is testament to the fact that Ireland has been, and continues to be, the country most exposed to the economic fallout from Brexit.
The ICSA is committed to ensuring that Irish cattle and sheep farmers receive a substantial piece of this fund.
“Uncertainty around Brexit has severely impacted prices since the referendum was passed in 2016.
“Those sectors are now in year five of wrangling with the severe economic repercussions of Brexit and must certainly now be a priority when it comes to allocating these supports.”
Phelan said the signing of the Brexit trade deal in December has not eliminated the potential for Brexit to continue to impact prices for the foreseeable future.
The deal has not signalled the end of the Brexit disruption faced by cattle and sheep farmers.
“The UK has long since been our biggest market and the threat of that market being displaced by cheaper imports from around the world remains,” the president warned.