Brexit concerns main focus of Irish farming unions cross border meeting

UFU meets IFA to discuss impact of Brexit north and south of the border
UFU meets IFA to discuss impact of Brexit north and south of the border

Concerns around the impact of the UK leaving the EU were top of the priority at a recent meeting between Ulster Farmers’ Union and the Irish Farmers’ Union (IFA).

Border trade has been hugely important in developing agri-food into the largest industry in both NI and ROI.

Future Brexit trade negotiations between the UK and the EU must consider this, both trade unions explained.

UFU deputy president, Victor Chestnutt said: "Given that the farmers in the south are our closest neighbours, understandably there are common concerns that will affect everyone on this island and perhaps the most prominent issue at the minute is the impact of Brexit."

Brexit concerns and rural development main focus of Union cross border meeting
Brexit concerns and rural development main focus of Union cross border meeting

Mr Chestnutt went on to highlight that historically there have been strong links between the farming industries north and south of the border.

And that over the years this trade has been ‘hugely important’ in developing agri-food into the largest industry in each of the respective economies.

"Any future trade negotiations between the UK and the EU must take this into consideration," he said.

Areas of natural constraint

The meeting also gave the two unions the chance to explain how the EU requirement to designate areas of natural constraint (ANC) is another example of how a 'one size fits all policy does not work in practise.'

In light of Brexit, the Northern Ireland has strongly questioned whether this requirement should be relevant anymore.

"The ANC maps that have been drafted do not accurately reflect the true areas of natural constraint," Mr Chestnutt explained.

"This goes against the very principles of the EU regulation, which is to define disadvantaged areas that require additional support.

"We don’t believe the government is entirely to blame for this, such is the complexity of this process.

"However, in the context of the circumstances surrounding Brexit we would now strongly question whether this requirement should be relevant anymore," he said.

Mr Chestnutt continued: "Farmers have become accustomed to the existing severely disadvantaged areas map and we see no reason to change.

"This is an early opportunity for the DAERA Minister to make a break from EU regulations by challenging the Commission on this requirement.

"Pushing for a derogation or at worst seeking an extension on the date we are due to designate by would reduce the burden for both farmers and DAERA, allowing us to concentrate on more important priorities such as trade."