The new EU-UK deal should ease Brexit tensions between Irish farmers and their largest trading partner, according to MEP Maria Walsh.
MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, and is the Committee’s lead legislator for EU-UK relations. In this role, MEP Walsh steers discussions and policy on issues affecting relations between the EU and United Kingdom.
MEP Maria Walsh said:
“As the lead MEP for EU-UK affairs on the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, I welcome the agreement reached this week. The deal has major implications for the Irish, EU and UK agricultural sectors. For Europeans, and in particular Irish farmers, it is a step in the right direction towards undoing the untold Brexit damage.
“Finally, we will see the free flow of food and plant products across the Irish Sea return. This week’s deal shows that Brexit will not always have to mean Brexit.
“The news of an SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement is key to easing trade difficulties between Irish and British farmers, but crucially protects shared food safety and animal health standards.This means less red tape, fewer duplicate checks, and savings in time and cost for those working across the sector.
“The UK is by far Ireland’s largest agrifood export market. In 2023, 38% of Irish exports were destined for the UK – worth over €6.8bn to our economy. Likewise, we are also heavily reliant on the UK for agrifood imports; supplying almost €5bn of imports in 2023.
“Closer trading relations with the UK are very much welcome, especially at a time of increasingly volatile global markets and looming tariffs. More than ever before we need reliable trading partners, to benefit people and their businesses in both the EU and the UK.
“I will be considering the details of the agreement over the coming days and I will be working with the Commission to ensure farmers across Ireland, especially those living and working on the border counties which I represent, feel the benefit of this deal in their pockets and throughout their communities.”
