Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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481. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which any plans are being made in respect of Irish agri-food exports to the UK in the future in the event of UK withdrawal from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39838/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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482. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has had discussions with his UK counterparts with a view to putting in place provisions for trade in the agri-food sector in the event of UK withdrawal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39839/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 482 together.

I have had no discussions with my UK counterpart on this issue. In the event of the UK deciding on a different form of relationship with the European Union, negotiations would be undertaken at EU level on the form of trading relationships that would apply and whether this would include a free trade area. Ireland and the UK have strong bilateral agri-food trading relationships related to their complementary and shared interests; this is despite operating in different currency zones. That overall policy of promoting a diverse portfolio of markets where that offers the best sectoral advantage will continue.