Cian Hassett, Trade Market Executive, London Office, Bord Bia - The Irish Food Board
Bord Bia’s Supply Chain Optimisation Workshop
Our Supply Chain Optimisation Workshop is set to take place on Friday 4th October. This half day workshop, with experts Simply Supply Chain, will address the key challenges facing companies, as highlighted in the Brexit Barometer 2019 findings.
Key events this week
Bord Bia were in attendance at the DAFM Brexit preparedness event at Johnston Castle, Wexford. Minister Doyle was in attendance and Bord Bia staff were on hand highlighting the support services available to companies in the run up to Brexit.
Guaranteed Irish Event: Taking place at Croke Park this week - Shane Hamill from Bord Bia, along with members from Matheson, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), Orbidal and the Irish Exporters Association, for presentations and discussion on how businesses in Ireland can get ready for Brexit. With 34 days left until the proposed Brexit date, it is now more important than ever for companies to be prepared.
The London Bord Bia Office attended the Food and Drink Federation – Brexit Essentials: No Deal Preparations conference this week. Alex Thomas, Director of Agri-Food Chain for Defra was in attendance and explained how there was very little information to be given to companies outside of what was already available to the public, and he stressed how people should only be working towards the October 31st Brexit date. He went on to say that confirmation of the Temporary Tariff regime is expected “soon”, but could not elaborate on whether there would be any changes to the current tariff rates. Alex also referenced the Defra e-alerts and the UK government press release on Animal Health Regulations from the 23rd September, something which is being raised as an area of concern by many companies. He finally stressed that companies who would be importing from the EU would need to make sure they were up to speed on the import processes as outlined by the UK Government.
DAFM Brexit Events
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have hosted numerous events over the last month based on Brexit and the steps that agri-food businesses can take to keep trade moving. Members of Bord Bia will be on site at the final event in Cork on 30th September to offer advice on the support services available in the run up to Brexit. More info on these, including registration links and the topics that will be covered, can be found at the below link:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/brexit/events/
• 30th September: Radisson Blu, Little Island, Co. Cork – Minister Creed will open and address all companies in attendance.
For information relating to Imports: www.agriculture.gov.ie/brexit
Helpful for clarification on CVEDS, CN codes, trace registration, and required veterinary certs.
For information on the land bridge:
www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/Brexit/index.aspx
This will clarify customs transit and how you can organise financial guarantees.
For Loans/Schemes/Financial Aid from Banking Corporation of Ireland
www.scbi.gov.ie
If you are a company and have YET to take action here:
It was suggested that these should be your first steps
1. Register with Revenue
2. Register with DAFM
3. Contact/Register with the HSE (for food of plant origin).
The 2019 Brexit Barometer Industry Findings Report and Action Plan can now be downloaded from the Bord Bia website. The Action Plan provides practical information and outlines a number of steps that Irish food and drink companies can take in order to mitigate the risks posed by Brexit.
Bord Bia has also announced a new range of support services for Irish food and drink companies to help them to prepare for Brexit. There include:
• Supply Chain Mentoring Programme
• Customer Readiness Training
• Financial Risk Mentoring Programme
• Supply Chain Optimisation Workshop
• Key Customer Management Programme
Information on the support services can be found by following the above links. Alternatively, all information can be found on the Brexit page on the Bord Bia website: https://www.bordbia.ie/industry/brexit/
No-deal Brexit forecast worsens for Ireland
A no-deal Brexit could plunge Ireland into recession and necessitate an emergency budget early next year to tackle an economic shock, according to a report by a leading Irish think-tank. Leo Varadkar, already plans a no-deal budget on October 8 but the Economic and Social Research Institute said that Mr Varadkar should be prepared to roll out fresh measures to boost the economy if a disorderly Brexit hits hard. “It may be the case that a supplementary budget is required early in the New Year if external conditions change substantially,” the ESRI said. The warning ranks among the most severe yet on the consequences of no-deal for Mr Varadkar’s government, which is locked in a bitter Brexit dispute with the UK over the future of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Boris Johnson, UK prime minister, is struggling to gain support in Dublin or Brussels for his proposals to replace the “backstop” to guarantee open borders after the UK leaves the bloc. Britain is scheduled to exit the EU on October 31. Michel Barnier, EU Brexit negotiator, said on Thursday that Mr Johnson has yet to provide “legal and operational” proposals to break the deadlock. Simon Coveney has accused London of presenting “fanciful” ideas to settle the problem. Although the EU insists its member states are prepared for a no-deal departure by the UK, Ireland is likely to be hit the hardest.
Northern Ireland appeal court rejects no-deal Brexit challenge
A Northern Ireland appeal court has dismissed a challenge against a no-deal Brexit made on the grounds that a disorderly departure from the EU would undermine the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Declan Morgan, lord chief justice of Northern Ireland, and two other judges refused on all grounds the appeal by Raymond McCord, a victims’ rights campaigner. Mr McCord had appealed against a ruling by the region’s High Court against his challenge to the UK government’s handling of the Brexit process. The case is separate to the UK Supreme Court ruling this week that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament for five weeks was unlawful. The Belfast ruling noted Mr McCord had argued that a no-deal Brexit would give rise to a “very considerable risk of deterioration in the security situation” in the region, an adverse economic impact and severe limitations on Good Friday institutions.
The pound is sliding again in the face of continued political deadlock and increasing evidence the uncertainty is wreaking damage on the British economy. Sterling was on course for its worst week since early August as it fell back below $1.23 on Friday, leaving the currency more than 1.5 per cent lower for the week. Against the euro, the pound was trading at €1.1293
Looking ahead:
13th - 15th September SNP Party conference
14th October State opening of Parliament and Queen's speech
17th - 18th October European Council meeting, Brussels
21st – 22nd October MPs vote on Queen's speech
24th October Likely earliest date for a General Election
31st October Legal default for the UK to leave the EU
1st November New European Commission starts its term in office
May 2020: this will be the last day the UK will get to leave the EU as the new EU budget round comes in.