Ireland’s objective in the Brexit negotiations must be the maintenance of the closest possible trading arrangements with all of Britain and Northern Ireland.

This was IFA (Irish Farmers’ Association) President Joe Healy’s response to a leaked EU Commission memo suggesting an all-island approach for the agri-food sector in the upcoming talks.

“Solving the logistical challenges associated with the border is of course important, but the real priority for the Irish government must be maintaining the trading arrangements with all of the UK.

“Such a solution would substantially mitigate or eliminate any border issues,” the president said.

Continuing, Healy noted: “While this potentially addresses some of the border issues, the proposal does not address the economic and trading concerns for farming and the agri-food sector, either in Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Britain is a much larger market for both economies than the internal market on the island of Ireland.

The president said he welcomed the comments by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dail yesterday which confirmed this was the objective of the Irish government.

According to IFA sources, of the €4.5-5 billion worth of Irish agri-food exports going to the UK annually, approximately 80% goes to Britain.

The figures for Northern Ireland show a similar pattern, according to the IFA. In 2015, Northern Ireland sold £2.1 billion (€2.37 billion) worth of food and agricultural products to Britain, while exports to the Republic of Ireland were valued at approximately £700 million (€790.8 million).

Meanwhile, the IFA has reacted angrily to the reported Mercosur deal, with a farmers’ protest taking place this morning (Wednesday, October 4). This follows reports that the European Commission is set to offer a 70,000t beef quota at this week’s Mercosur talks in Brasilia.

Hundreds of farmers turned out in support of the protest. Many farmers feel the sector is being sold out in favour of other industries. Farmers fear that if the reported Mercosur deal were go to ahead, it would have serious consequences for the Irish beef industry.