Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Brexit Issues

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1593. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if contingency planning is completed for the dairy sector with regard to processing in Northern Ireland if there is no agreement in Brexit talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26548/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union, Brexit, has fostered a great deal of speculation with respect to its future trading relationship with the union, including with Ireland. As 40% of Irish agrifood exports go to the UK, Brexit negotiations will be among the most important in terms of potential impact on the sector since the talks prior to Ireland joining the then-European Economic Community.

The United Kingdom including Northern Ireland represents Ireland’s biggest dairy export market by a considerable distance, accounting for up to 30% of exports in the dairy sector. An important issue in terms of the Northern Ireland dimension to any prospective Brexit would be around the de facto all island milk market that currently exists.

Significant volumes of manufacturing milk or primary processed ingredients are taken in by a broad range of ROI processors from Northern Ireland processors. A number of processors also have significant cross border catchment areas in terms of their farmer suppliers, and any re-establishment of a hard border would pose direct difficulties in this respect.  A number of dairy processors have stand alone companies in Northern Ireland approved to collect milk in compliance with EU regulations. This raw milk is routinely imported into ROI for processing. In the process to implement arrangements for Brexit, procedures including certification for importation of raw milk and product for further processing would need to be examined, assessed and agreed. In the absence of an agreement on a post Brexit trading or transitional arrangement , this trade would most likely be subject to tariffs, customs arrangements and official controls.

My Department is considering all of these possibilities in conjunction with relevant Government Departments, agencies and with industry. Ultimately, of course,  Ireland's objective is to avoid such a scenario, and Government is working with other Member states and with  EU institutions to ensure that there is an agreement on the terms of the UK's exit from the European Union and the future trading relationship which protects the interests of the agri food sector in Ireland, including the dairy sector.

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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1594. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry if British territorial waters are no longer part of the Common Fisheries Policy; if contingency planning has been completed regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26549/17]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We don't yet know what changes the UK Government may seek to the current arrangements. I am, however, clear that our objective is to maintain our current access to fishing grounds in UK waters in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and, to protect Ireland’s current quota shares. 

Earlier this year, I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector as whole. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that a 'hard' Brexit presents for our fishing communities. 

I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.  

As part of this work, my Department is holding a further Brexit discussion with stakeholders at the National Seafood Conference in Galway at the end of this month. This will include presentations from the Chairs of the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the North Sea Advisory Council respectively. These Councils represent industry and NGO stakeholders from all of the EU Member States with fishing interests in the UK zone.  Representatives from the Irish fishing industry will also participate.  

During the recent visit of Chief Brexit Negotiator, Mr. Michel Barnier to Ireland, I met with him and discussed the issues arising for the agri-food sector.  On fisheries, I explained Ireland's perspective and that it was shared by a number of EU partners.  I am satisfied that  Mr. Barnier understands the issues and the potential significance of Brexit for Ireland's fisheries sector.   Mr Barnier agreed with me that fisheries negotiations must be inextricably linked to the wider trade negotiations.  

I also made clear that transitional arrangements are likely to be important for the seafood sector. 

In conclusion, I will be working to ensure that fisheries remains high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that we obtain the best possible outcome from the negotiations. I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares and, any limitations on our existing rights of access.

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