Irish sheep farmers concerned over New Zealand trade deal with the UK

With the UK remaining the largest single destination for Irish food and drink exports, the threat to Ireland’s food and agriculture industry is obvious

New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks with Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson over video conferencing as they seal a free trade deal. New Zealand is in the top five beef exporters globally, shipping primarily to the US, but more and more to China also.

IFA President Tim Cullinan has said the proposed trade deal between the UK and New Zealand is very concerning for Irish sheep farmers.

But it is expected to also open up the UK to significant tariff-free quotas of butter and cheese from New Zealand and will expand tariff-free quotas for beef from Down Under.