FDI supports call for early agreement on future UK-Ireland trade deal
Uninterrupted flow of integrated supply chains is "essential to the competitiveness of food and drink businesses on both islands,” says FDI director Paul Kelly
Print16 March 2017
Ibec group Food Drink Ireland (FDI) has welcomed the call for an early agreement on the UK-Ireland trading relationship, made by 35 associations representing the UK food and drink supply chain.
“With 40% of total food and drink exports going to the UK, Ireland is four to six times more exposed than any other European country to Brexit,” said FDI director Paul Kelly. “Supply chains in the food sector are deeply integrated between our two countries and the continued, uninterrupted flow of these supply chains are essential to the competitiveness of food and drink businesses on both islands,” he added.
In order to minimise economic uncertainty and potential damage to the food and drink sector, FDI believes discussions on the future EU-UK trading relationship must commence as early as possible in the negotiating process and ensure:
- Free and unfettered access to the UK market. Given the UK determination to leave the Single Market and the Customs Union, it would appear that achieving this objective will be dependent on there being a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and UK.
- A commitment by both sides to negotiate an ambitious and balanced agreement that prioritises continued tariff and barrier free trade, long-term growth, investment and stability.
- The agreement should take account of the special case of the Island of Ireland ensuring that the highly integrated supply chains can continue to operate with free movement of goods and services.
- Transitional arrangements, of sufficient length for businesses to plan and prepare for any new FTA arrangements, may be required to bridge the gap between the completion of the UK two year exit process and until the future EU-UK agreement enters into force. Failure to do so, could lead to unnecessary legal uncertainty and a reversion to high WTO Most Favoured Nations (MFN) tariffs on EU and UK imports of food, drink, and agricultural products. The transitional arrangements must prioritise avoiding tariffs and import quota regimes. FDI has also pointed to the need to avoid requirements for new customs procedures (e.g. documentation and certification) which would create barriers to trade, delays, and increase administrative costs. Importantly, customs procedures must be dealt with as part of the first phase of Article 50 negotiations, FDI adds.
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