‘Brexit’ a huge threat to Irish agri-food, says Kelly
“A ‘Brexit’ would create a great deal of uncertainty as to future trading terms and regulations between the two countries,” he said.
Department of Agriculture figures for 2013 show that Britain remains Ireland’s largest export market for food and drink.
In the same year, the UK bought half of Ireland’s beef exports, and 42% of Irish food and drink exports, worth €4.1bn.
“It is a two-way street,” he said.
“Ireland is just as important to the UK. The UK exports more to Ireland than it does to China, India, and Brazil combined. We are the UK’s fifth-largest market.
"We buy more British food and non-alcoholic drinks than any other country: €3.6bn worth in 2012 alone.”
Mr Kelly pointed to a study by the UK-based National Farmers’ Union, which said that farmers could lose out by €34,000 (£27,400 stg) a year, if the UK left the EU. EU subsidies to the UK are €3bn a year.
