Brexit Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017

Monday, 11 September 2017

Questions (1387)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

1387. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Ireland has formally applied to the European Commission for a Brexit financial support package for farmers during the UK’s two-year exit phase from the EU and subsequent transition phase, including under Article 219 of the Common Market Organisation regulation; if an application has been made to the European Commission for a fund to protect producers impacted by the fall in value of sterling whose produce is exported to the UK market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38603/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am very much aware of the significant challenges Brexit poses for Ireland’s agri-food sector, in particular our beef and mushroom sectors, both of whom have been recently adversely affected due to the fall in value of sterling and given their high dependence on the UK market.

My Department, in conjunction with the Government, has been actively engaged in developing responses to help mitigate Brexit's more immediate effects, particularly those associated with the sterling/euro exchange rate with many of the responses in place to date emanating from last year’s Budget.

In this regard, my Department has submitted a formal request to the European Commission for approval to increase the advance payment rate percentage under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 to 70% and 85% respectively, as one response to the destabilising impact Brexit is having on farm incomes. 

In addition, I am considering a number of other possible measures and have had preliminary discussions with the Commission and a number of other member states in this regard.