Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Healy referred to the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP. If the United Kingdom withdraws from the European Union, it will create a gap in the European budget which, if not filled, will have significant knock-on effects for the agricultural and rural communities. This will be the main issue when CAP reform talks start next year. Not only will Brexit have an impact on trade, it will also affect the single farm payment and could sound the death knell for farming.

One of the key issues in the negotiations will be how to fund the Common Agricultural Policy. We are a net beneficiary, but the position could be reversed as a result of the role of the eastern European countries and the gap Britain’s exit from the European Union will leave. This will be a significant issue for the rural community.

Cross-Border and production issues will also be important. Will it be possible in a period of less than two years to address manufacturing on both sides of the Border, whether in milk, pork or some other commodity? If a hard Border is imposed in the timescale proposed, it will cause devastation for the agriculture industry on both sides of the Border. Is there potential for manufacturing on both sides of the Border to pick up the surplus? I do not believe that is the case and if I am correct, the knock-on effect for Border counties will be significant, to say the least.