British Irish Chamber calls for State supports to Brexit-proof Ireland’s agri-food sector

British Irish Chamber calls for State supports to Brexit-proof Ireland’s agri-food sector

September 5, 2018, Irish Examiner

Maree Gallagher is quoted in the Irish Examiner regarding Brexit’s impact on Ireland’s agri-food sector. Ms. Gallagher, also Chair of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce Agri-Food Committee, says, “The agri-food sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry employing around 250,000 people enabling €12.6bn in exports a year.” Ireland, who is a major source of the UK’s agri-food trade, knows it must “enhance the competitiveness” of its offering. Ms. Gallagher adds, “The introduction of a carbon tax on the sector in Budget 2019 would only further undermine the capacity of Irish agri-food companies to prepare for Brexit and to diversify their trading links. Steps should instead be taken to provide State supports to all businesses exposed to the UK market and to increase funding to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Through these measures we can ensure the agri-food sector is robust enough to withstand the impact of Brexit."