Written answers

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Brexit Preparations

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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370. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency steps being taken to limit the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the agriculture sector here. [14865/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I have already taken a number of contingency steps to help mitigate the impacts of Brexit on the agri-food sector, and I continue to explore further options that may be necessary in the event of a disorderly Brexit.

I have introduced a number of measures under the last three budgets aimed at improving competitiveness, and developing market and product diversification. These have included low cost loan schemes to assist on-farm and agri business cost effectiveness, additional supports to Bord Bia and Teagasc to support market and product diversification, and, in Budget 2019, a €78 million package to support farmers, fishermen and food SMEs.

More recently, I have held bilateral discussions with Commissioner Hogan on the economic impact of Brexit, including on the margins of the Council of Agriculture Ministers in Brussels on 18 March. I have stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the impact on the sector, including through traditional EU market supports and exceptional aid provisions under the CAP's Single Common Market Organisation regulation, as well as through increased flexibility under State Aid regulations.  Commissioner Hogan has confirmed that the EU is ready to respond positively, and my officials remain in regular contact with Commission officials in this regard.

While ratification of the Withdrawal Agreement is still the Government's objective, practical preparations are also underway for a no-deal Brexit. 

On preparedness for import controls, we have been working with other departments and agencies to have the necessary arrangements in place at our ports and airports in order to allow the Department to fulfil its legal obligations as efficiently as possible, while also ensuring the minimum possible disruption to trading arrangements.

My Department has also sharpened its Brexit communications strategy, which now includes an enhanced Brexit page on the Department’s website, the circulation of focused Trader Notices to the relevant sectors, the establishment of a Brexit Call Centre and central e-mail address, and increased use of social media.  I would urge operators in the sector to engage with these services as we continue our preparations for a possible no-deal Brexit.

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