Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his engagement with the EU Brexit negotiating team and the UK Government with a view to ensuring regulatory alignment on agriculture matters post the UK leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3770/19]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if regulatory alignment on agriculture matters post the UK leaving the European Union has been discussed and agreed as part of the negotiations between the EU Brexit negotiating team and the UK Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3769/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 78 together.

Throughout the negotiations on the Withdrawal Agreement, I, as well as officials from my Department, engaged in extensive contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Task Force, and the UK, to advance Ireland’s priorities.

The Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed in November, and adopted by the European Council, provides for a period of transition, up to December 2020, during which EU rules and regulations will continue to apply to the UK, including regulatory alignment on agriculture matters. 

Under the measures included for a backstop, should it need to be invoked, a UK-wide customs territory would apply, ensuring no tariffs or quotas. This includes well established rules with regard to ensuring a level playing field. Northern Ireland would remain aligned to those rules of the Single Market that are indispensable to avoiding a hard border. As regards the movement of animals and agricultural products between North and South, this provides for complete regulatory alignment, including with respect to SPS controls, and rules on agricultural production and marketing.

 I should be clear that the backstop acts simply as an insurance policy, which we hope will never have to be used. It remains our priority to achieve a future relationship agreement that can resolve all these issues, and obviate the need for the backstop. 

Regarding the future relationship, both the EU and the UK have identified cooperation in the area of agriculture and trade in agri-food products as important aspects of the future trading relationship. Ireland wants the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, including in the area of trade, and in particular as regards agriculture and trade in agri-foods. This will be a priority for us in negotiations on the future relationship.