Mitchelstown meeting hears how agri-sector is bracing for Brexit
THE future of Irish agriculture and the twin issues of Brexit and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on the sector as a whole came under the spotlight during a public meeting last Monday evening at the Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown.
The meeting was hosted by Fine Gael general election candidate for Cork East Pa O’Driscoll, who said it was a welcome opportunity to hear the views of three key voices from within the farming and food sector.
Addressing the large attendance, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed spoke about the CAP negotiations going into 2020.
He said that while CAP had been a policy capable of responding to challenges at any given time, the Irish Government still had concerns about it budget into the future.
“This concern is shared by 19 other EU states, who are working together to protect the current level of funding,” said Minister Creed.
During his speech the Minister also referred to the likelihood of further convergence and the level of capping that may be imposed from 2020.
On the issue of Brexit, Minister Creed said “the deal, no matter how good, will not be as good as the deal that currently exists.”
In his address Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe expressed an opinion shared by many when he said there was “no economic logic to Brexit.”
He said that while it was clear the UK was working to become more self-sufficient, that would “in no way” fill the gap that will exist between food production and demand.
“For the agri-food sector that is so dependent on exporting to the UK, there is a need for a long transition period,” he stated.
The IFA’s Munster regional chairman John Coughlan opened his speech by posing the all-important question is there a future for farming in Ireland?
“The answer to that is a firm yes. The growing population and growing demand for food, combined with conditions that exist in Ireland, shows that farming in Ireland has a future – even with the looming threat of Brexit,” he said.
“However, it must be made clear that the potential costs of both Brexit and climate change cannot be put back on farmers.”
During the night other issues of interest were raised with speakers though the floor including milk recording, afforestation, the bloodstock industry and knowledge transfer.
Concluding proceedings, Mr O’Driscoll thanked the speakers and wished Minister Creed and his Government colleagues well in the Brexit negotiations.
“The impact of Brexit will be felt by all sectors and right across the political spectrum there is agreement that the government must try and ensure trading conditions remain as close as possible to those we have at present,” he said.