Reacting to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report showing the impact of various Brexit scenarios, the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) said the Government and the EU Commission must immediately bring forward a comprehensive support package for farmers.
President Joe Healy said even the most benign outcome, which would see a deal reached, will have a significant impact on GDP.
“This, in turn, will have the biggest impact on the farming and food sector,” he said, “We have heard that the EU Commission is ready to support Irish farmers. That time is now.”
Brexit Beef
Healy has claimed that the Irish beef sector has already suffered from Brexit uncertainty as farmers selling cattle are settling for prices well below last year’s levels.
He estimates that farmers have seen reductions of up to €100 per head.
Healy called on the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar & the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed to make ‘a very strong case’ to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.
“We have had constant assurances about solidarity, given our exposure to Brexit. That has to translate into solid support”, he said.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Clicksign-up to subscribe to Checkout.