Shane Hamill, London Office, Bord Bia – Irish Food Board

Bord Bia is hosting an event on June 29th to highlight with industry the key pressure points it has identified through the Brexit Barometer. This is taking place against the formal launch of EU-UK Negotiations.

As British Prime Minister Harold Wilson once said, “A week is a long time in politics”. This was certainly the case over recent days when a number of significant Brexit related developments took place.

Monday: EU-UK Negotiations kick off

Following the formal commencement of Brexit Negotiations on Monday 19th June, media commentators awarded ‘round 1’ to the EU; after the UK conceded to agree to the EU’s planned timetable, focusing on divorce arrangements before looking at a future trade relationship. Progress on the border with Northern Ireland will not be addressed be in the first wave of working groups, but will be subject to a separate, slower dialogue. David Davis said: “This is a technically difficult issue… it will probably take us until the end of the process when we decide what our customs and free trade priorities are.”

Tuesday: The Chancellor outlines his economic views

The Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his much anticipated views on Brexit in a speech to finance and business stakeholders on Tuesday 20th June. He outlined that the UK Government’s approach to Brexit should involve a comprehensive trade agreement and the negotiation of transitional arrangements to avoid unnecessary disruption and dangerous cliff edges.

He also stated the need for an agreement on frictionless customs arrangements to facilitate trade across border and a need to keep the land border on the island of Ireland open and free-flowing. Details of how this could be practically and legally achieved remain to be explained, aside from involving “the deployment of new technology” and an “implementation period, outside the customs union itself, but with current customs border arrangements remaining in place” temporarily.

Wednesday: UK Parliamentary Programme unveiled

The British Government then unveiled its Parliamentary Programme on Wednesday 21st June. Of 27 bills announced, eight relate to Brexit and its impact on various issues, including trade, agriculture and fisheries. Six days have been set aside for Parliament to debate each different policy area. The Prime Minister needs all Conservative MPs to back the program plus eight other MPs. At present the DUP is most likely to provide these votes.

Bord Bia’s Brexit Response

Following engagement with 139 companies, Bord Bia’s event on June 29th will unveil the findings from our Brexit Barometer, and as well as identify steps to overcome Brexit’s many challenges. Presentations and discussions will cover customs and supply chain issues for Irish exporters to the UK, as well as issues such as the Northern Ireland border and currency.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the UK market, collaboration and coop-etition, will be crucial for our industry going forward, and we encourage you to attend and share your views.

For more information, please contact Shane.Hamill@BordBia.ie