‘No-deal Brexit threat to horse exports’

A NO-DEAL Brexit has the potential to wipe out many parts of Ireland’s sport horse industry, experts have warned.

Ireland’s €816million export-led industry faces ‘serious threats’ from Brexit, particularly those who depend on the British market, a panel organised by the Royal Dublin Society concluded.

On the eve of the Dublin Horse Show – the largest annual gathering of the sector – a forum was held to examine the potential consequences of Brexit and discuss the preparations that should be considered since Britain is the largest export market for the Irish sport horse industry.

A report last year showed that 14,000 jobs were supported by the sector.

Royal Dublin Society chief executive Michael Duffy said: ‘Last year, we first broached this topic in the hope that 12 months on we would have clear parameters for all industries to work within.

‘Unfortunately, we don’t have this, which is especially concerning to many export-led businesses that are reliant on sales in Britain for their livelihood.

‘The final outcome of Brexit remains very uncertain, but what is certain is change, and we hope that today’s conversation kickstarts the Irish sport horse industry preparations for this inevitability.’

On the panel was consultant and former minister for state Lucinda Creighton who said that Brexit poses a ‘very real threat’ to Irish industries, particularly those dependent upon the British market.

‘Polarised attitudes and disruptive actions in London mean a “no-deal” scenario is becoming more likely, which will have potentially disastrous effects on Ireland’s agricultural community, including the horse sport industry,’ she said.

‘All Irish industries need to speak to their counterparts in Britain and work with them to reduce the chances of this taking place.’