Concern for food exports if the UK votes to leave the EU

Concern for food exports if the UK votes to leave the EU

Concern for food exports if the UK votes to leave the EU

  • Press Release

Lack of lending and emissions are challenges to expansion plans

Friday 16th November 2015. MEP Mairead McGuinness has warned that migration, budgetary pressures and the upcoming UK referendum on EU membership all pose significant challenges to the European Union.

The MEP said that for agriculture, the future will require a renewed emphasis on new markets outside the EU and enhanced productivity to meet the challenge of sustainable food production.

Ms McGuinness, who is MEP for Midlands/North-West and Vice President of the European Parliament, also warned that the outcome of the UK referendum is hugely important for Irish agriculture because if the UK votes to leave it will raise huge concerns for our food exports.

The MEP was speaking at the annual seminar of the Rural Agency Surveying professional group of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, which took place at the Radisson Hotel in Athlone last Friday.

Solar farms, land prices and land mobility were among the many issues discussed at the seminar which was attended by over 70 Rural Agency Surveyors from across the country.

The President of the SCSI , Andrew Nugent said that while the removal of milk quotas after 31 years presented a great opportunity for expansion in milk production, challenges remained.

“In addition to the uncertainty caused by the UK referendum the lack of lending finance to farmers will limit opportunities for growth while green house gas emissions and Ireland’s commitments under the Kyoto Protocol are issues which will have to be assessed and monitored” he said.

Speaking on tax incentives introduced in the recent budget, Eddie Downey, President of the Irish Farmers’ Association said; “According to a recent survey of farmers by the Department of Agriculture, 27% of farmers are in long term leases and two thirds of these are in long term leases for the first time. This is a very positive step for future access to farm land.”

Other speakers at the seminar included; Thia Hennessy, Head of the Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Department at Teagasc, Mike Taylor, RICS Rural Board, Justin McCarthy, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Patrick Shine; Chartered Geomatics Surveyor.

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