Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
1153. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency measures he has put in place in the event that the UK enters into post-Brexit trade agreements with non-EU partners that will allow food product that may supplant Irish produce to enter the UK market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1523/21]
View answerThe key challenge here is to maximise the volume and value of Irish agri-food exports to all destinations, and to anticipate and, as best we can, mitigate the potential impact of adverse developments in trading patterns. This requires a two-handed approach comprised of support for our existing and potential future UK trade, as well as development of increased EU and third country market access.
In the first instance, it is important to acknowledge the ongoing importance of the UK market for Irish agri-food exporters, given that it accounted for €4.5 billion, or 34%, of all Irish food and drink exports in 2019. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached by the EU and the UK - which provides for zero tariffs and quotas - is a welcome development in this regard, and will help Irish exporters to maintain their UK market share and remain competitive against third country imports to the UK. The Government has also provided additional funding for Bord Bia's UK market activities, which include the provision of intelligence and insights, development of business opportunities with customers in key categories, and the strengthening of the reputation of Irish food and drink through consumer and trade campaigns.
My Department has also been very active in the development of third country markets, for example through Trade Missions - which were carried out virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic - and through the leveraging of our network of agricultural attachés worldwide. We are also continuing to work on the opportunities provided by recent EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries, and to press for the removal of technical market access barriers across a range of third country markets.
We will continue to monitor the broader impact of Brexit on our agriculture and food sector and configure measures to support these sectors as required.
