Farmers and exporters jointly demand sterling protection scheme

A STERLING equalisation support scheme is being jointly sought by the Irish Exporters Association and the Irish Farmers Association.

It follows claims that the collapse of sterling is putting 23,500 jobs at risk in Irish manufacturing and service companies which have €7 billion in export sales to Britain.

The IEA and the IFA said such a scheme was needed to prevent widespread loss of exports and jobs, particularly in the agri-food sector, which is heavily dependent on the British market.