Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that Brexit will have an impact on the outlook for Irish agriculture in all counties, including 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 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 elsewhere in the European Union, is to the forefront in our deliberations.

Over the past few months the Minister and I have engaged with counterparts in other member states in an effort to sensitise them to the potential impact of an unfavourable Brexit agreement, or no agreement, not only on Ireland but on the EU agrifood sector generally. In this regard, there is regular engagement with the Commission, the UK, including Northern Ireland, and other member states, both at political and official level.  The Minister, Deputy Creed, and I have had specific bilateral meetings with counterparts in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Poland , Luxembourg, Austria and Spain to seek to establish common ground on the Brexit issue.

My Department and its agencies have conducted various analyses of the likely impact of Brexit on the agrifood sector.  These analyses range from internal departmental assessments to published work by Teagasc and Bord Bia. This is an ongoing process and it will continue through extensive consultation with stakeholders via the Department's stakeholder consultative committee and through the all-island civic dialogue process, in respect of which I have already hosted five agrifood and fisheries sectoral dialogues.

While the main impact to date of the Brexit vote has been the effect of sterling volatility on those businesses that have a significant trading relationship with the UK, the medium-term to long-term threats include the possible introduction of tariffs on trade between the EU and UK, potential divergences in regulations and standards between the EU and UK post-Brexit, and the implications of border controls and certification requirements. Difficult challenges also arise in regard to potentially restricted access to fishing grounds and resources.

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The Minister is very aware of these potential threats but he remains very focused on supporting the agrifood industry through the challenges ahead. He has already provided additional resources to Bord Bia and this has, inter alia, funded its Brexit barometer, which is a valuable tool to allow participating companies to assess their own preparedness for Brexit. The learning from this very useful exercise will also help to inform policymakers. He has asked them to conduct a market profiling exercise to help to prioritise market access efforts and he recently announced a seven-point plan to intensify the Department's efforts on this front. As part of the wider Government response, the Minister will continue to assess the risk to the Irish agrifood sector in order to provide appropriate supports to mitigate any risk.

The Minister has also provided a number of other supports for the sector,  including a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, agri-taxation measures and increased funding under the rural and seafood development programmes.  The Minister will also continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop and press Ireland's case at European level for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, together with the minimisation of the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.

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