Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
543. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce long-term, low-cost loan measures to assist agribusinesses to improve competitiveness due to the particular challenges that will arise from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39347/17]
View answer544. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist the beef sector due to difficulties that have arisen from the decline in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39349/17]
View answer545. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist the mushroom sector due to difficulties that have arisen from the decline in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39350/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 543 to 545, inclusive, together.
I fully recognise the enormous challenges Brexit poses for the agrifood and fisheries sectors which, given their reliance on the UK market for exports, are experiencing severe difficulties on foot of the fall in the value of sterling against the euro.
With Government support, I and my Department, and its agencies, have introduced measures to help mitigate the exchange rate effects, primarily through the introduction earlier this year of a new €150 million low-cost loan scheme for primary producers. We have also introduced new agri-taxation measures, increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme, and allocated significant additional resources to Bord Bia to provide Brexit-related supports to affected companies and to progress its market diversification activities.
My Department is keeping the market situation under close review and I will be considering what further measures may be required in the light of developments.
