Dairy industry: Immediate response needed to counter Brexit threat in January
An immediate response will need to be taken by the Irish government to counter the looming threat to the Irish dairy sector caused by Brexit, according to Dairy Industry Ireland.
In a statement to be given to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this evening (Tuesday, December 8), Dairy Industry Ireland is calling for a series of measures to be taken to protect the sector from the worst impacts of Brexit.
Director of Dairy Industry Ireland Conor Mulvihill said: “As of today, dairy and specialised nutrition businesses still do not have clear information on the trading conditions which will apply for goods between Ireland and Britain and for services between Ireland and the UK as of January 1, 2021.
Our concern is that now there is insufficient time for dairy and specialised nutrition businesses to adjust to the outcomes of a prospective agreement, if indeed it is reached.
Mulvihill highlighted the importance of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland to protect the all-island dairy economy.
He said that Dairy Industry Ireland is continuing to support contingency planning but warned that “very significant government and EU intervention” will be needed.
Mulvihill called on the government to ensure that “adequate and agile supports” are available to businesses in early January, prioritising those worst affected.
“We are at the 11th hour so our message to the committee is to support us in controlling what we can from the Irish side,” the director said, outlining a number of measures that should be taken.
“Irish dairy and specialised nutrition remains one of the most exposed business sectors in the EU to Brexit.
“Whether a future relationship agreement is reached or not, the consequences of the new trading relationship with the UK will be severe,” Mulvihill concluded.
