Expected Brexit deal is good news for Irish food sector

Deal will remove immediate threat to the beef, dairy, and other food sectors which employ hundreds of thousands here

European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Picture: John Thys, Pool via AP

Britain and the EU are closing in on a Brexit deal that would remove the immediate threat to the beef, dairy, and other food sectors which employ hundreds of thousands here.

Senior economist Jim Power said punishing tariffs that would have “devastated” beef exports —50% of which go to Britain — and a huge range of Irish food products that firms sell into Britain, look likely to be avoided. “This is the least-worst outcome,” Mr Power said.