Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021
489. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has conducted a socio-economic impact assessment on the effects of the British-Australian trade agreement on Irish agriculture. [38631/21]
View answerAs Minister, I am continually aware of the global trade dynamic and its potential impact on Irish agriculture. My key focus, at all times, is the protection and enhancement of the incomes of our farmers, fishers and food producers.
On 16th June, the UK and Australian Governments announced that they had reached a political agreement in principle for a new UK-Australia trade agreement. Based on announcements made, it appears that the Agreement provides for full tariff free access at the end of 15 years for certain sensitive products, particularly beef and lamb. Given the importance of the UK market to the agriculture sector, this is, of course, a matter of concern. However, the full extent of the implications of that agreement for Irish agriculture will depend on the specific detail in the final agreed text, which has not yet been published.
The Department, in response to Brexit, has further intensified its focus on market diversification. Since 2017, new or improved market access to several third countries has been gained. Despite this welcome development, the UK will remain a key market for Irish agri-food exports. Encouragingly, Bord Bia research has shown that British consumers have a high regard for Irish food, and Bord Bia is continuing its intensive marketing in the UK.
In addition, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement ensures continued quota- and tariff-free access for Irish agri-food goods to the UK market. Irish exports also continue to benefit from the access gained to other third countries through EU Free Trade Agreements. And, of course, Ireland as a Member State has full unimpeded access to the EU Single Market of 450 million people.
