The agrifood sector is a vital part of the Irish economy, and maintaining export markets for Irish agrifood and fish products is a fundamental part of my Department’s work. It has also been a central element of my Department’s response to Brexit.
While the UK market has always been an important one for Irish exports, successive governments have sought to avoid too great a reliance upon it. The need for diversification has therefore informed the strategic development of the sector for some time, but has become more acute in the context of Brexit. My Department has, accordingly, been very active in intensifying its support for market diversification by, for example, providing budgetary supports to Bord Bia, undertaking Trade Missions to develop new opportunities, and leveraging our network of agricultural attachés in key markets around the globe.
Brexit also produces challenges in terms of access to European markets and further afield via the landbridge. Businesses will still be able to export food to Europe via the landbridge. However, it is clear that the way in which operators use the landbridge will change. Delays on the landbridge route are likely and businesses may wish to look at switching to direct route options. The process for moving goods directly between Ireland and other EU Member States will not change nor be subject to the new procedures.
Responsibility for the enforcement of Union agri-food legislation, including traceability and labelling rules, lies with Member States, whose competent authorities monitor and verify, through the implementation of official controls, that relevant Union requirements are effectively complied with and enforced. My Department will continue to meet its obligations in respect of the Official Controls Regulations irrespective of Brexit.
