Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely hope the EU and the UK arrive at an amicable and respectful agreement, one that does not bring about major disruption in the Irish agriculture sector. I am aware the Council agenda will not deal comprehensively or specifically with agriculture, but I wish to reiterate my concerns, which are shared by the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, and other farming organisations.

Among the key Brexit priorities must be the retention of tariff-free access to, and maintenance of the value of, the EU-UK market. The potential disruption to trade flows between Ireland and the North of Ireland must be minimised. In addition, an increase in low-cost food imports which undermine the value of the UK market would have a devastating effect on the Irish agrifood sector.

The value of EU agrifood exports cannot be undermined by an increase in low-cost food imports into the UK market. The IFA believes that the EU must set as a strategic objective in the Brexit negotiations the maximisation of the future value of the EU farming and food sector. If this outcome is not possible the EU must seek to negotiate a comprehensive free trade agreement between the EU and the UK which would include the following specific elements for agriculture and food: tariff-free trade for agricultural products and food; maintenance of equivalent standards on food safety, animal health, welfare and the environment; and an application of the common external tariff for imports to both the EU and the UK.

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