‘NO ROOM FOR ANY DEGREE OF COMPLACENCY’

THE UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU has sent shockwaves through the Wicklow farming community with the local branch of the ICMSA warning that it will have serious implications for all sectors, including the agri-food sector.

According to Wicklow ICMSA chairperson Shane O’Loughlin, a clear plan must be put in place to address the many issues that are likely to arise when the Brexit is finally negotiated with the EU. Following a meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr O’Loughlin said that ‘ there is no room for any degree of complacency from here forwards, not in the context of €5 billion in food exports to the UK – €1.1 billion is beef and €1 billion is dairy produce’. He said that in the short term, the implications are likely to focus on exchange rate movements and both the Irish Government and the EU must understand that farmers cannot be expected to pay for any negative currency movements arising from the Brexit vote.

‘Brexit will have practical implications at farm level, for processors in terms of trade to the UK and also transit of products to continental Europe. It becomes a national priority to ensure that as Brexit negotiations begin and develop that access to the UK market is retained on the basis of current conditions and that Ireland’s dependence on the UK market is recognised and addressed.’

Speaking as a farmer, I’d respectfully caution Minister Creed against getting the interests of ‘ the dairy sector’ mixed up with those of ‘dairy farmers’; the links further up the supply chain are doing very well out of the current price crisis while the farmers – have now gone a full year earning no income whatsoever from their herds.’

(Deborah Coleman)