![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/ef587cdd-5ccd-4b6b-bec7-108e537ddce3.jpg\")
T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has said that a no-deal Brexit looks \u201cless likely\u201d today than it did a week ago.<\/p>\nT\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has said that a no-deal Brexit looks \u201cless likely\u201d today than it did a week ago.<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney was addressing questions in the D\u00e1il about the impact of a crash Brexit on the agricultural industry.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI want to reassure people that if we do face a no-deal Brexit, which looks less likely today than it did last week, we will be ready to support farm families through what will be a difficult period of change and disruption.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do know that Ireland is more exposed and more vulnerable to a no-deal Brexit or the wrong outcome from Brexit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe export over a billion (euro)\u2019s worth of beef to the United Kingdom and over a billion (euro)\u2019s worth of diary product.<\/p>\n
“We also import billions of euros worth of food and drink from the UK so should that be subject to tariffs in the future and other non-tariff trade barriers, it would be very damaging to the Irish agricultural industry and to Irish farming.”<\/p>\n
Speaking during leaders\u2019 questions, Independent TD Dr Michael Harty said that Brexit threatens Ireland\u2019s agricultural industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issues in Brexit have been well identified, but any form of Brexit will have a negative impact whether it is a soft Brexit with a Withdrawal Agreement involving the UK staying within the Single Market and the Customs Union or a hard Brexit where the UK cuts its ties almost completely with the EU,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe loss of the UK market is going to be substantial in relation to the beef and dairy industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe imposition of tariffs is going to add to that and delays in transport across the UK in relation to the land bridge will have a serious blow to agricultural exports.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney moved to reassure Irish farming families saying there will be a \u201csignificant\u201d support package for farmers to help in the event of a no-deal Brexit.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cHardly a Cabinet passes without (Agriculture) Minister (Michael) Creed raising these issues and challenges that emerge from Brexit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to reassure farm families \u2013 there\u2019s 130,000 farm families in Ireland \u2013 about 100,000 get some farming from beef and about 70,000 will get all of their farming from beef.\u201d<\/p>\n