Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
545. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency plans and strategies ready for deployment in the event of a no deal Brexit in his Department for the agrifood and fisheries sectors; the details of such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31829/18]
View answerThe whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being co-ordinated through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome is now well advanced. Its focus is on the immediate economic, regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome. It assumes a trading relationship based on the default WTO rules, but also examines the possible effects on many other areas of concern.
This work is therefore providing baseline scenarios for the impact of Brexit which can then be adapted as appropriate in light of developments in the EU-UK negotiations, including in regard to transition arrangements and the future relationship. This approach is also enabling the modelling of potential responses under different scenarios, such as one where a withdrawal agreement is concluded and where a Free Trade Agreement is the basis for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.
It also takes account of the planning being undertaken at EU level by the Commission Preparedness Unit, which is issuing information notes aimed at different business sectors and examining legislative actions which may be needed at EU level.
However, the Government is already acting in order to get Ireland Brexit-ready. For example, dedicated measures were announced in Budget 2018, including a new €300m Brexit Loan Scheme for Business (40% of which will be available to the agri-food sector) and a €25m Brexit Response Loan Scheme for farmers, fishermen and businesses. Bord Bia, aided by the significant additional funding that I have allocated to it since the UK referendum, continues to work with companies, providing practical help and advice and supporting their efforts to diversify their markets. In addition, my Department has intensified its trade development efforts and I have led trade missions to China, the US and Canada earlier this year, and I intend leading an industry delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia in the Autumn.
My Department will continue to co-ordinate its work on this very important issue with that of other Departments.
