Ms Marie Armstrong:

Ms Byrne mentioned in her presentation that we are aware of discussions with the Commonwealth countries about supply of food post Brexit. We have been reminding people that food security is as important as energy security. We are aware that there are large Chinese companies that, for example, have bought the largest land farm in New Zealand. While China and other countries look to Africa for raw materials they are doing the same in respect of food but this is happening very quietly. We have been reminding our nearest neighbours that they should think about who will be their friends in the future when it comes to food security. That is much more likely to be Ireland than a country that is quite far away although it may be part of the Commonwealth. Food security will be an issue of long-term concern for the UK. We need to watch carefully what is happening quietly behind the scenes.