Speaking at yesterday’s ASA (Agricultural Science Association) debate on Brexit in Kilkenny, IFA President Joe Healy dismissed any suggestion of diluting growth targets for the farming and food industry because of Brexit.

He said, “Food Wise 2025 sets out ambitious targets based on our capacity to expand production. It would be extremely shortsighted to jettison clear objectives at this point”.

“The Food Wise 2025 report has to underpin Government policy, and that includes its approach to the Brexit negotiations. I expect the Government to re-double its efforts in working to achieve the increase in exports to €19 billion and the value of primary production to almost €10 billion.

A successful outcome to the Brexit negotiations will be instrumental in keeping the plan on track.

The IFA will hold a major Brexit event on Monday, April 24 (in association with FBD Insurance), ahead of the crucial EU Summit on Saturday, April 29, at which EU leaders will discuss their negotiating position. EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed, IFA representatives and industry leaders will speak at the event in Goffs, Co. Kildare – which is expected to be attended by over 600 farmers.

The IFA President said the key priorities for the farming and food sector are maintaining the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU, while preserving the value of the UK market; and a strong CAP budget following the UK’s departure, which is critical for farm incomes, farm output and economic activity in rural Ireland.

Specifically, IFA has identified that, if the UK exits the Single Market and Customs Union, there must be a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and UK, which would include the following specific elements for agriculture and food:

  • Tariff-free trade for agricultural products and food;
  • Maintenance of equivalent standards on food safety, animal health, welfare and the environment;
  • Application of the Common External Tariff for imports to both the EU and UK.

Healy said the IFA is clear that farming and food must be top of the Brexit agenda, not only in Ireland, but at EU level. “With 12 million farmers and 40 million related jobs overall, there is a wider strategic objective here to maximise the future value of the EU farming and food sector.”

Healy explained that the threat of Brexit is the most significant challenge facing our farming and food sector in the history of the State, with 40% of our food exports going to the UK. He said farmers expect the Government to launch a major diplomatic offensive at EU level, that places these issues at the heart of the negotiations.

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 €1.5bn in meat exports, with dairy exports falling by over €600m.

Healy said that the Irish farming and agri-food sector is particularly vulnerable to Brexit due to:

  • A high dependence on the UK market;
  • High EU tariff protection applying to major agricultural products;
  • The land border with Northern Ireland, with the potential to disrupt trade flows, and undermine animal health co-operation;
  • The importance of the CAP budget to farm incomes – the UK is a net contributor.

The IFA’s Project Team led by the President Joe Healy will be undertaking “high-level contacts” with the Oireachtas, Government Departments, the EU Commission and the EU Parliament over the coming weeks. The IFA will also be engaging with the wider agri-food sector and with farming organisations across Europe.