Creed: ‘No real upside to Brexit it’s a case of damage limitation’
THE agricultural sector will face a big challenge with Brexit and it is a case of exercising “damage limitation,” was the view of Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.
Minister Creed was speaking at the IRD Duhallow Business Awards, held in conjunction with The Corkman on Thursday night on the grounds of the James O’Keeffe Institute.
Addressing the large attendance, he said he was delighted to be asked to attend and praised the spirit of entrepreneurship in the region. However, as a Minister with a hefty portfolio and more so now as our nearest neighbours have opted out of the EU, he expressed grave concerns at the implications of Britain’s impending exit from the EU.
He said the seriousness of the situation has prompted the Government to set up a dedicated Brexit unit who are drawing up reports on both the “worst case scenario” and the “best advantage which the Irish country can take.”
Minister Creed pulled no punches and said nearly his every waking moment is concerned with Brexit. In simple financial terms, Ireland has a €5.1 billion agri-food export link to the UK. Globally, Ireland does €10.8 billion worth of business with 170 countries.
“There are, without question, challenges both inside and outside the farm gate,” he said. “We are working through all the technical difficulties both post and at the departure stage. While I am very much convinced there will be twists and turns on the road ahead and we have all heard the phrases ‘soft Brexit’ and ‘ hard Brexit,’ but my Department are also drawing up both the worst case scenario and the best advantage which we can take from all of this,” he said.
However, he warned, that there would be “no real upside for us. It’s a case of damage limitation.”
Moreover, he stressed at various times during his speech, that his dedicated unit is working with all stakeholders – whether it is dairy, beef, sheep, tillage to pork.
“There is no other economy who are as exposed as we are to Brexit,” he warned.
He pointed out that the South East Asia market is a vast region which is rapidly growing for the agri- sector in Ireland, and in particular with the middle classes in Korea, China and Vietnam. On a recent trade mission, 30 Irish companies, along with Minister Creed, met with key stakeholders throughout South East Asia and showcased what the agri- sector had to offer.
“While this is an enormous challenge with Brexit, it is one to which we can rise and overcome. We faced the BSE and Foot and Mouth crisis as well and overcame them,” he said.
“The thing which we have is that we are resilient and confident,” he said.
He also praised IRD Duhallow who foster and enhance the entrepreneurial spirit in the region.