Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2019
170. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on comments that Irish product will be displaced from the British market and for Irish farmers to prepare for Brexit and prepare for tariffs on Irish food exports to the UK (details supplied); and the financial supports which will be put in place for farmers immediately in these scenarios. [43703/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA no-deal Brexit would pose enormous challenges for the agrifood and fisheries sectors in particular by virtue of their exposure to the UK market. The UK recently published their temporary tariff regime. The exact impact that these tariffs will have on agrifood trade is impossible to determine, and this includes how trade flows might change in response. However, it is clear that the imposition of these tariffs, and any other regulatory burden imposed on goods entering the UK, would particularly negatively affect Irish farmers and Irish food exports to the UK.
My Department has taken steps to mitigate the impact of Brexit over a number of budgets including through the provision of low cost loans, the €300m Brexit Fund and the €300m future growth loan scheme. We have also supported market diversification efforts in order to reduce our exposure to the UK market. In addition, the threat of a no deal Brexit is being addressed through Budget 2020 by making €110 million available as a first tranche to help farmers, fishermen and food SME’s to navigate the challenges that a no deal Brexit would present. These measures include immediate support for our beef sector (€85m), support for our fishing fleet (€14m), €5m towards marketing in non-UK markets and necessary support to other sectors to improve competitiveness (€6m).
Additionally, the Commission announced a €50 million package for Irish beef producers - the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is a demand-led measure, with both eligibility criteria and conditionality, i.e. farmers who meet the initial eligibility criteria then commit to meeting certain conditions to qualify for aid. By the closing date for the scheme, over 34,500 farmers had applied for inclusion in the scheme with a total potential drawdown of €78m.
I can assure the Deputy that I and my officials are continuing with our Brexit preparedness work, within a whole of Government effort, to ensure the best possible outcome for the agrifood sector and that the appropriate financial supports are being put in place to support the sector.
