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The Department of Agriculture is working on plans to provide hundreds of millions of euros in support to the agriculture and fisheries sectors, even if a Brexit trade deal is reached.
While a final figure has not been decided, it is understood that the department believes that farm income will be affected by up to 400 million euros if there is no free trade agreement, according to an investigation by Teagasc.
Total financial support will depend on the outcome of the negotiations, but even if there is an agreement, market disruption at the farm level is considered inevitable.
In the meantime, significant support for fishing communities will be needed even if a trade agreement is reached, and fleet mooring schemes are being considered, although final decisions have not been made.
Talks between Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Michael McGrath have intensified in recent days due to stalled Brexit talks on the fisheries issue. Mr. McConalogue said the Government’s “unique approach” has been to safeguard the interests of those in the fisheries sector.
Critical industry
“The interests of the Irish fishing industry are as important to us as the UK fishing industry is to them, so we will continue to fight for the best interests of fishermen and the marine sector in general. As minister, I will not fail to defend our interests in the coming days or to provide key and specific support, if necessary, and I will continue to support our fisheries sector ”.
He said there was capacity to provide support to farmers and fisheries within the EU frameworks to aid market disturbances. “That would be the traditional mechanism and it will be the one we are seeing here as well,” he said. “We will be ready and willing and in one place to step in and support revenues in a way that is commensurate with the impact they will receive.”
Non-tariff barriers have been identified for farmers amounting to costs equivalent to 8-24 percent of tariffs, depending on an agreement. A capital investment plan for primary meat and dairy processors is also being considered, with up to € 100 million in additional treasury funds earmarked for the program, to be implemented through Enterprise Ireland.
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