Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway Michael Fitzmaurice has called for Aid to Private Storage schemes or interventions for Irish agricultural exports to be put in place if an agreement on Brexit isn\u2019t reached.<\/p>\n

Deputy Fitzmaurice has called on: the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan; Ireland\u2019s MEPs; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed; and the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, to back those measures.<\/p>\n

The independent TD\u2019s calls come as the British parliament is set to vote on a Brexit deal tomorrow evening (Tuesday, January 15).<\/p>\n

Commenting on the matter, he said: \u201cIf there isn\u2019t an agreement reached, then Ireland needs to make sure \u2013 with the help of Commissioner Hogan \u2013 that Aid to Storage Schemes and interventions are opened up immediately, at proper prices, for agricultural products.<\/p>\n

\u201cIreland has a lot to lose when it comes to Brexit. In 2018, Irish agri-food exports reached a value in excess of \u20ac12 billion; with value of exports to the UK amounting to \u20ac4.5 billion.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs people know, the beef trade in Ireland has been on its knees for the past few months. Given our dependency on the UK market, a Brexit deal which would impede the export of Irish beef across the Irish Sea would cause chaos here.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to make sure there is a release valve for all of this, in terms of intervention or Aid to Private Storage schemes. This is the only way forward and these measures must be put in place at proper prices that will make it workable for all farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concluding, Deputy Fitzmaurice said: \u201cIreland is facing into an unknown and difficult period over the next few months.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf politicians \u2013 be they in Europe or at home in Ireland \u2013 care about the farming community and the agricultural sector, they need to stand up and be counted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to make sure that safeguards are put in place that will alleviate potential difficulties that may face different sectors in the future \u2013 be it sheep, pigs, dairy or beef.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a problem that can be solved very easily, as long as Commissioner Hogan and Minister Creed are prepared to stand up to the mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese measures need to be ready to be rolled out when and if they are required,\u201d the Roscommon-Galway TD said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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