Brexit to dominate agenda at Agriculture Committee meeting

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, 29th November 2016 at 4pm in Committee Room 3, Leinster House.
The schedule for the meeting is as follows:

Scrutiny of EU legislative proposals:
Schedule A: COM(2016)134; and COM(2016)273; Schedule B: COM(2016)643; COM(2016)648; COM(2016)653; and COM(2016)656.

Session A: Impact of the UK Referendum on membership of the European Union on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors [Mr. Aidan Cotter, CEO and Mr. Padraig Brennan, Director of Markets, Bord Bia]

Session B: GLAS Scheme, Areas of Natural Constraint, Inspections and reform of the Agriculture Appeals Office [Mr. Henry O’Donnell, National Vice-Chair and Mr. John Cuddy, Secretary, South Galway, Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association]

Committee Chair, Pat Deering TD, said: “Tomorrow’s meeting is a wide-ranging one, focusing on the impact of Brexit on Irish agri-food, fisheries and hill farming as well as the GLAS scheme. In the face of Brexit, the future is uncertain and as the UK is our single biggest trading partner, the Irish farming industry has reason to be worried. Our witnesses tomorrow will brief us on how we can safeguard trade between Ireland and the UK. We will also hear from the INHFA, the body representing Irish hill farmers, a group who farm on lands that are often difficult to maintain. Their circumstances and needs are unique and the Committee looks forward to engaging with them.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS