Positivity around Ireland’s water quality and the potential of a ‘Mercosur 2.0’ in the form of a potential trade agreement between the EU and Australia were the main talking points from Agri Aware’s inaugural Food for Thought Industry Briefing event.
Taking place at the Osprey Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare on Thursday, January 16th, this event was widely attended by stakeholders across the Irish agri-food sector.
The event heard from prominent figures in the agricultural sector both nationally and internationally including keynote speaker Tadhg Buckley Director of Policy/Chief Economist with the Irish Farmers Association. Tadhg gave updates on key polices and trade deals including the Mercosur Trade Deal, the Nitrates Derogation and the Common Agricultural Policy.
Tadhg joined Ksenija Simovic of COPA-COGEGA, Kevin Maher of Dairy Sustainability Ireland, Ibec and Phelim O’Neill of the Irish Farmers Journal for a panel discussion after to further discuss these topics and break down the positives and challenges that each would bring to the sector.
From the panel discussion, chaired by Agri Aware’s Marcus O’Halloran, the major talking points firstly were on Ireland having the third best water quality in Europe, a statistic that is often buried amongst the negative commentary on this important issue. Secondly, on the potential of a 20% cut in the next CAP budget, which would likely be the ‘end of the CAP as we know it to be’.
Lastly, in terms of the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal, the impacts of it on Ireland and what the latest is on it, after the EU council gave it the green light last week were discussed. However, another potential challenge facing the Irish agri-food sector is the EU-Australia Trade Deal that came to a standstill in 2023 and is now being talked about again. COPA-COGEA’s Ksenija Simovic said: “The EU-Australia Trade Deal is a cause for concern, potentially becoming a Mercosur 2.0. This trade deal if passed, would see 24,000 tonnes of beef and 20,000 tonnes of sheepmeat enter the EU at a reduced tariff of 7.5%. It would not be good agreement for EU and Irish farmers.”
Speaking at the conclusion of the event, Agri Aware Executive Director Marcus O’Halloran said: “We were delighted to host what was a very successful inaugural Food for Thought Industry Briefing event. Coming at a critical time, it was important to bring together the agricultural industry and provide insight into the key issues currently impacting the sector. This event brought to light many positive stories and also some challenges that we are currently in the midst of but what is also potentially coming down the line for the sector – which is important that as an industry we are kept up to date on and prepared for. We would like to sincerely thank our speakers, Tadhg, Ksenija, Kevin and Phelim, who shared their expertise and valuable
insights across all topics discussed at the event. We are already looking forward to hosting the event again in 2027.”
