Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo, Lisa Chambers, says that Brexit is a real threat to the Agri-sector in Mayo and that every effort from government should be made to support farmers in the West.
The Fianna Fáil Brexit spokesperson and local TD said "Depending on the type of Brexit we get, we could face a loss in the region of 55,000 jobs with 12,500 of these jobs in the agri-food sector and a €6.5 billion deficit in the state finances if we get a hard Brexit. What this means for us in Mayo is that jobs in the farming sector are at risk.
"Farming, particularly in the beef sector has been a very difficult way to make a living for a number of years now. It has only increased this year as the farming sector feel abandoned by government. Protests outside Cabinet meetings and Leinster House have become commonplace over the past year. Almost 50% of beef exports go to the UK market. This is a risk due to Brexit and European trade deals.
"The Mercosur trade deal won’t help the industry in any way. Fine Gael Commissioner Phil Hogan had his own career interests in mind over the thousands in the farming sector when he pushed this trade deal in his role as EU Agricultural Commissioner.
"We are less then 100 days away from Brexit, be it with the withdrawal agreement or a no deal Brexit. This is the reality solidified as new Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought in a pro-leave Cabinet this week.
"The government should ensure that there are substantial and accessible support packages in place for the farming community post-Brexit,” concluded Deputy Chambers.
