Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

246. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect agricultural producers from currency value shifts between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3324/17]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

247. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure smooth agricultural trade between the Border region, notably counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal, and Northern Ireland under the possibility of a hard Border with the Republic of Ireland following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3325/17]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect farmers and other agricultural producers under the possibility of a hard Border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, especially in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal, following the UK referendum to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3331/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, together.

I am acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges that arise in the agri-food sector from the Brexit vote, including in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal. My Department’s ultimate goal in relation to the agri-food sector is to be able to continue to trade freely with the UK in both directions.  This trade should be carried out without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.

The most immediate impact of the vote on Irish farming has been the effect of exchange rate volatility, with sectors such as mushrooms and forestry particularly exposed due to their high dependence on the UK market.  In response, my Department and its agencies have implemented a range of measures, including the new low-interest agri-cash flow fund of €150m, agri-taxation measures, increased funding of Bord Bia and BIM, investment in R and D and innovation, and increased expenditure on the Rural Development Programme and the Seafood Development Programme.

A number of additional issues arise over the longer term, mainly in the context of the potential future trading relationship between the UK and the EU, but also in the related areas of standards, and veterinary and certification requirements. There is a particular North-South dimension to these issues which will need to be addressed also and there are separate, and potentially severe, implications arising from the loss of the UK contribution to the EU budget, and from future access to fisheries stocks. 

I consider it vitally important that our key message of remaining as close as possible to the current trading arrangements is heard and understood across Europe, and for that reason the extensive consultations currently being undertaken with our EU counterparts at political and official levels will continue, and indeed intensify, over the coming months.