The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, met with his UK counterpart – the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove – in London earlier today (Wednesday, June 13).
Minister Creed was in London as a keynote speaker on Brexit at the UK Food and Drinks Federation (FDF) Conference.
Brexit
The minister and the secretary of state discussed a number of issues concerning Brexit, including matters relating to the agri-food and fisheries sector – as well as the equine sector.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Creed said: “This was a timely meeting in the context of the current debate in the UK on the direction of travel in the Brexit negotiations.
I reiterated our concerns to Secretary of State Gove around the pace of the negotiations, especially on border issues.
“I also took the opportunity to raise the tripartite agreement for horse racing between Ireland the UK and France and the need to maintain fisheries as part of an overall trade agreement post Brexit.”
Earlier this morning, the minister delivered a keynote address to the UK Food and Drinks Federation (FDF) Conference ‘Shaping the Future of Food and Drink’.
Influence
He outlined the progress the Irish agri-food sector had made in building its global profile, and emphasised that recent successes in China and elsewhere had been achieved – in part – as a result of Ireland’s membership of the European Union.
He also called upon the UK Food and Drinks Federation to exercise its influence in the Brexit debate.
Addressing delegates at the conference, Minister Creed said: ”I want to challenge the members of the UK Food and Drinks Federation today.
You are the torchbearers for the proud traditions of the great British food and drinks industry. Make your voices heard in this debate.
Concluding, the minister said: “There are serious issues at stake in the Brexit negotiations. It will be farmers, businesses and consumers in Ireland, the UK and the EU who bear the brunt of a bad outcome.
“We need realistic and complete solutions to the challenges that face us, and we need them very soon. I hope that negotiators can make progress this week.”
