Agriculture Committee to look at effect of Brexit on Irish fisheries

23 January 2017

The schedule for the meeting is as follows:

(i) Scrutiny of EU legislative proposals - Schedule A: COM(2016)750 Geographical Indications - Spirit Drinks

(ii) Impact of the UK Referendum on membership of the European Union on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors [Representatives from the Irish Fish Producers Organisations and the Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association]

Committee Chair, Pat Deering TD, said: “Ireland’s fisheries play a vital role in our economic development. In the wake of the UK decision to exit the EU, there are concerns about the knock-on impact on Irish fleets fishing in British waters. Prior to Brexit, all fisheries in Ireland and Britain were subject to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and have been since the 1970s. That will change once Article 50 is triggered and could result in the removal of a common set of fisheries rules and regulations, to be replaced with something new. At tomorrow’s meeting, we will discuss the likely impact on the fisheries industry, as well as what steps can be taken to mitigate negative consequences for the Irish industry. Tomorrow’s meeting is the last in our series on Brexit and we hope to publish a report on our findings next month.”

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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ENDS