A no-deal Brexit scenario “will be the end of the Irish beef sector”, according to Tim Cullinan, president of Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

Cullinan addressed the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture today (Monday, December 7) on Brexit.

“We are on the cusp of Armageddon for Irish farming. These talks cannot fail…if we have a no-deal Brexit, it will be the end of the Irish beef sector,” Cullinan said.

‘Burdensome and unavoidable procedures’

He said a Brexit outcome, which either reduces access for those products to the UK market or makes their continued sale onto that market uneconomic, will be “disastrous for European farming and the livelihoods of farmers, particularly from Ireland”.

Referring to the ongoing difficulties in reaching an agreement, he said the exit of the UK from the EU without a deal would “undoubtedly lead to significant trade disruption and a lose-lose situation for the entire agri-food chain”.

“Burdensome and unavoidable procedures, such as official controls of goods, SPS [sanitary and phytosanitary] inspections, veterinary certificates and import tariffs will lead to increased delays for checks at borders and raise the costs for both sides.”

Cullinan set out six key measures that are “needed to safeguard Irish and European agriculture”:
  • The EU and the UK to maintain the closest possible trading relationship, but the EU single market must be protected;
  • Maintaining a level playing field with corresponding standards on food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment;
  • Avoid burdensome delays such as control of goods and sanitary and phytosanitary inspections and veterinary certificates which will lead to delays at borders and increase costs for both sides;
  • Access to the UK market must be tariff-free and quota-free;
  • No return by the UK to a cheap food policy;
  • European agriculture sector is a priority for support from the €5 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

The IFA president said Michel Barnier and his team must continue to pursue an outcome that retains the closest possible trading relationship with the UK.

“The intense discussions to secure a deal must continue, but we must also prepare for the post-Brexit scenario,” Cullinan continued.

“In that regard, the Irish government must ensure that Irish farmers are top of the queue for the €5 billion EU Brexit fund.”

Cullinan added that the Mercosur trade deal “has to be stopped” and that in the event of a no-deal, the EU “has to look at Mercosur in totality”.

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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IFA TIM CULLINAN