What does the Brexit deal mean for the Irish Beef Sector?

After years of uncertainty since the Brexit referendum in 2016, a deal on the future relations between the European Union and the UK has finally been sealed and on this week’s episode of the Beef Edge podcast, Kevin Hanrahan, Head of Rural Economy and Development Programme at Teagasc, outlines what this deal actually means for the Irish Beef sector. With over 50% of Irish beef going to British markets and the imposition of tariffs and quotas gone, a huge threat has been removed, but Kevin warns that there will be challenges ahead. Overall, farmers should have some reassurance of the deal versus previous fears of a no deal. Kevin discusses the likely impact for beef exports, live exports and trade in Ireland, north & south of the border. While Beef exports into the UK will now avoid tariffs, it may be the second half of 2021 before we will know the real implications. With current Covid-19 restrictions and the Brexit deal, the projections will have to be updated but outlook for the beef sector is to remain steady for the first half of 2020. However, Kevin does warn that there will be longer-term negative implications for Irish beef exports to the UK market in the future if the UK strikes trade agreements with major beef exporters from outside the EU. For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit the show page at: teagasc.ie/thebeefedge