The government says any delay to Brexit would be pointless unless the UK has a clear plan to get a deal over the line.
European Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has said that while the EU would probably back an extension to the March 29th deadline, if Britain wants it, she’s argued that Downing Street has to set out a clear path to get the withdrawal agreement through the House of Commons.
It comes as the Clare chair of the ICMSA says farmers can’t afford to wait for Britain to crash out of the EU before they receive state compensation.
It comes as the Minister for Agriculture has said supports will be in place for the agri-food sector in a no-deal scenario, but has warned the industry will be open to shocks.
Clare FM’s James Mulhall reports:
As fears of a no-deal Brexit heighten, the vulnerability of the farming sector continues to be at the fore.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed says farmers WILL get a compensation to help them adjust to price shocks in the event of a no-deal; but he admits there’s no upside from Brexit for the agri-food sector.
Minister Creed says it leaves the entire industry in Ireland very open to shocks.
While the Minister has committed to some form of compensation to help farmers adjust to post-Brexit price shocks, one Clare farming representative says they’re already battling with that issue.
Martin McMahon, the county ICMSA chair, says the time has passed to start rolling it out as they’ve already been affected.
Meanwhile, an Ireland South MEP has said a special case will have to be made to ensure connectivity between Shannon and the EU post Brexit.
The CEO of Shannon Group has previously pointed to the urgent need to secure a direct mainland hub, a matter that has been raised with the Transport Minister.
Deirdre Clune says she intends to raise the matter at European level.
