Question écrite de
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Commission européenne
Subject: Irish agri-food exports and the effects of a potential hard Brexit
Irish agri-food exports dropped by 4 % to EUR 12.1 billion in 2018 compared to 2017. The agricultural sector is of major importance to the Irish economy, and farmers – along with the sector in general – must be reassured that their enterprises will be able to remain viable in the event of a hard Brexit. In 2018, Irish agri-food exports to the UK amounted to EUR 4.5 billion.
In light of developments regarding Brexit in recent months, and once a need has been clearly identified, what assurances can the Commission give that it will open interventions (at the appropriate price) for any Irish or other Member State’s agri-food products that are severely impacted by a hard Brexit, should it occur? These interventions would only be opened once a need was clearly identified.
Joint answer given by Mr Hogan on behalf of the European Commission (21 March 2019)
The Commission is in close contact with the EU-27 Member States, including Ireland, concerning Brexit and the potential impacts on trade in such sectors as agriculture and fishing. In this respect, the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has met the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development and presented him with the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food sector.
On 13 November 2018, the Commission adopted a communication on contingency planning in case of a disorderly withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, in order to mitigate the most disruptive consequences for EU-27 in case of a withdrawal without an agreement in place.
The communication confirms the Commission’s commitment to protecting the interests of EU Member States and of those sectors most at risk from Brexit and acknowledges that ‘the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU will impact all Member States to varying degrees, but none more so than Ireland.’ This reflects the fact that Ireland is especially exposed to disruption due to its strong trade links and shared land border with the United Kingdom.
The communication also confirms that the Commission stands ready to support Ireland to find solutions addressing the particular challenges. This includes preparations for a no-deal withdrawal scenario. The Commission has already adopted a series of contingency measures including for EU fisheries. Information on the website (1) includes a series of relevant preparedness notices as well as details of various legislative initiatives and other legal acts.
While a disorderly Brexit would present additional challenges, not least to the agri-food sector, the Commission has tools at its disposal to address these challenges, notably the various market support measures.
It is still too soon to say what specific form any EU assistance could take, not least as the circumstances in which the United Kingdom will leave the EU are not yet known nor what the exact economic consequences of the departure will be.
⋅1∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/brexit-preparedness_en | | ( | | )