Brexit and Trade

Brexit and Trade Deals

IFA works to safeguard Irish agriculture in EU negotiations and to guard against any trade deal that would damage the position of Irish produce on the EU market.

Brexit

Following the decision by the UK to leave the EU, IFA’s focus is on highlighting the key issues of concern and working to ensure the outcome of the UK-EU exit negotiations results in a situation where market access to the UK and the value of that market are maintained.

IFA highlighted the impact Brexit would have on Irish agriculture in advance of the UK referendum and has been to the fore in encouraging Government to be strong and ensure that the issues of importance to the Irish agri-sector are central to the exit negotiations. Read more about the IFA Brexit Campaign. 

Latest Brexit News

Returning Unused BAR Funds Would be Huge Failure – IFA

Brexit

BAR Funds Cannot Go Back to Brussels

Brexit

Govt Must Come Clean on €1bn Brexit Adjustment Reserve

Brexit

IFA Welcome Agreement Between EU & UK on Protocol/Framework

Brexit

Farmers Increasingly Concerned about Changes to NI Protocol

Brexit

IFA meet An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar

Climate Action

Swift & Pragmatic Solutions Needed to Meet Brexit Challenges

Brexit

IFA Hosts British Ambassador on Family Farm

Brexit

UK-Australia Trade Deal Very Concerning for Our Largest Beef Market

Brexit

An Taisce’s Refusal to Accept Planning Process is Subversion

Brexit

UK’s Six Month Extension on Introducing New Import Controls is a Boost For Agri-Food Exports

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Summary of EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement

Brexit

Mercosur

IFA has highlighted that any Mercosur trade deal would be extremely damaging for Irish and European agriculture, and especially our important beef trade.

In advance of the first exchange of offers during EU-Mercosur negotiations, IFA mounted a strong campaign to have beef removed from the EU offer, including direct contact with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, and EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. As a result, beef was removed from the Mercosur offer.

IFA will continue to highlight the negative consequences of a Mercosur deal and ensure vigilance against the inclusion of sensitive products, including beef.

IFA Meet Tanaiste on Proposed Mercosur Deal to Bring More Beef from Brazil

Mercosur

Minister McConalogue Must Use EU Farm Council Meeting To Re-State Opposition To Mercosur

Brussels News

European Parliament Votes Against Mercosur Deal

Mercosur

EU Commission Should Pull the Plug on Mercosur Deal

Mercosur

Mercosur ‘Sell Out’ Explained

Mercosur

EU Commission Must Question Credibility of Brazil in Mercosur Negotiations

Mercosur

TTIP

Negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the US were formally launched by the EU Trade Council in 2013.

The aim of the negotiations is to increase trade and investment between the EU and the US through the elimination of duties and other restrictions on trade in goods. Ireland has very strong links, both economic and social, with the US. As a major exporter, market access is critical for the Irish agri-food sector, with potential opportunities arising from increased access to the US market.

IFA is working to ensure that the interests of European and Irish agriculture are not sacrificed in the TTIP negotiations in pursuit of an overall trade deal. As a fundamental principle, EU negotiators must insist on equivalence of standards. That is, all US imports must meet the same animal health, welfare, traceability and environmental standards as is required of EU producers.

An IFA Position Paper on the TTIP negotiations outlines the key issues of relevance to Irish farmers, particularly in the beef, dairy, pigmeat and poultry sectors, including market access, standards and regulatory convergence.