Government Must Set Out Plan On Brexit Cliff Edge For Farming And Agri Sector, Warns IFA President

IFA President Joe Healy said with just 100 days to Brexit, there is massive concern among all farmers and especially livestock farmers about prices and exports to our most important export market in the UK.

Joe Healy was speaking at a meeting of the IFA National Council in Dublin today.

“Our Taoiseach & Tanaiste have told us about all sorts of contingencies like customs posts and hiring extra vets, but we haven’t heard anything about what plan has been put in place to protect Irish farmers, who are the most exposed in Europe.”

The time has come for the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar & Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, along with the EU Commission, to come forward with a comprehensive programme of supports that will address the real issues around market supports and cattle prices.

“The problems with currency volatility and the Euro and sterling exchange rate has already hit cattle prices this year and we are down 20c/kg or over €70 per head on this time last year, when prices had already been hit.  If the UK crashes out next March, we are facing a far more serious situation and the potential wipeout of beef production in this country,” he said.

Joe Healy said IFA has already discussed the need for strong EU market supports with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Agriculture Minister Michael Creed, but it is now time for the Government to set out their plan and exactly what market and other supports will be put in place.