Brexit: Irish farming and fisheries to get hundreds of millions in support

The Department of Agriculture is working on plans to provide hundreds of millions of euro in support to the farming and fisheries sectors, even if a Brexit trade deal is agreed.

While a final figure has not been decided, it is understood the department believes farm incomes will be hit by up to €400 million if there is no free trade agreement, based on research by Teagasc.

The total funding support will depend on the outcome of negotiations, but even if there is a deal, market disruption at farm gate level is seen as inevitable.

Meanwhile, significant support will be needed for fishing communities even if a trade deal is agreed, with fleet tie-up schemes under consideration, although no final decisions have been taken.

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Talks between Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath have intensified in recent days as Brexit talks stalled on the issue of fisheries. Mr McConalogue said the “singular focus” of the Government has been to safeguard the interests of those in the fishing sector.

Critical industry

“The interests of the Irish fishing industry are as critical to us as the UK fish sector is to them, so we will continue to fight for the best interests of fishers and the wider marine sector. As Minister I will not be found wanting in defending our interests in the days ahead or in delivering key and targeted supports, if necessary, and I will continue to stand by our fisheries sector.”

He said there was capacity to provide support for farmers and fisheries within EU frameworks for market disturbance aid. “That would be the traditional mechanism and will be the one we are looking at here too,” he said. “We’ll be ready and willing and in a place to step in and support the incomes in a way that is proportionate to the hit that they’ll be taking.”

Non-tariff barriers for farmers amounting to costs equivalent to 8-24 per cent of tariffs have been identified, depending on whether a deal is reached. A capital investment scheme for primary meat and dairy processors is also under consideration, with up to €100 million in additional exchequer funding being earmarked for the programme, which would be run through Enterprise Ireland.