The Agricultural Science Association (ASA) has today (8 March) announced the details of a major forum to discuss and debate the “Impact of Brexit on Irish Agriculture”, which is scheduled to take place on the 23 March, in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny.
It is believed that it is likely to coincide with British Prime Minister Teresa May invoking Article 50, triggering the formal two-year negotiation process to leave the EU.
The line-up for the session includes John Moloney, Chair, Food Wise 2025, Lucinda Creighton, Senior Strategic Advisor on Brexit to FIPRA, Jim Power, Economist and Joe Healy, IFA President who will explore the often conflicting views about what the Irish agri-food industry needs to do to survive in a post-Brexit economy.
The event comes in the wake of the recent report by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which recommended that a re-evaluation of targets set in Food Wise 2025 be undertaken in the wake of Brexit.
Mary Delaney, ASA President said, “Brexit is the dominant issue for the Irish agri-food industry at the moment. While many in our industry are already feeling the impact of the sterling currency fluctuations, we are still unclear as to what the broader, longer-term implications will be. We need to continue to explore the best ways of safe-guarding our industry while identifying new market opportunities in order to define a clear pathway forward.”
The panelists will explore how the Irish agri-food industry can maintain a strong foothold in post-Brexit Britain and how the industry should diversify its products to explore new markets.
It will also consider the recommendations of the many recent industry reports such as that of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the free-trade agreement recommended by the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity for investment in the prepared consumer foods sector which accounts for the majority of imports from the UK, recommended by Grant Thornton.
Public Affairs and PR Specialist, Mr Brian Purcell, Managing Director of BP Communications will chair the event.
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