Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
58. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is proposing to limit the impact of Brexit on farmers in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41662/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit will have an impact on the outlook for Irish agriculture including in Wexford.
Farming is an essential part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of Ireland. It is also part of a wider EU dispensation that values a Common Agriculture Policy built on family farming, food security, high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability. These are values that we hold dear, and so it is critically important when we consider the impact of Brexit that the positive contribution of agriculture to the rural and national economy, and to society in Ireland, and indeed elsewhere in the European Union, is to the forefront in our deliberations.
Brexit poses enormous challenges for the sector by virtue of its reliance on the UK market, and the most immediate challenge has been the impact caused by the significant drop in the value of sterling against the euro.
Some of the anticipated longer-term challenges may include tariffs and trade, divergence in regulations and standards, border controls with NI, and certification (including animal and plant health certification).
I am fully aware of the potential impact on the sector and I have undertaken a series of steps to help mitigate the more serious effects.
With Government support, I introduced measures in the last Budget that included a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures, and increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme.
In order to support Bord Bia’s marketing strategy, I allocated €3.6 million to the Agency to enhance the 2016 and 2017 programmes to support businesses that have strong trading relationships in the UK. More recently, I allocated an additional €6.7 million to allow them undertake a market prioritisation programme which I have requested.
My Department is also participating in an interdepartmental group, chaired by DBEI, and consider what further actions may be needed. I have also secured permission from the commission to pay higher rates of advances of the Basic Payment and Rural Development schemes to assist farmers with cash flow issues this year.
In order to retain the hard won markets within the UK, I met with the CEOs of the major UK retailers to impress upon them the value of their trade to the Irish agrifood sector. Next month, I will lead a further Trade Mission to South East Asia, this time to Japan and Korea where I, along with Bord Bia, hope to enhance existing markets and develop new markets.
I have also held a series of bilateral meetings with my EU counterparts which are aimed at building alliances to ensure that agri-food and fisheries issues are at the top of the EU negotiation agenda. Building common ground with other Member States will be critically important in the context of the negotiations.
In all of these engagements I am making clear our demand for continued unfettered access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, as well as keeping the UK market viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.
I wish to assure the House that the Government remains very focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.
