McConalogue has ‘very useful discussion’ with UK counterpart during London visit

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has met his UK counterpart to discuss bilateral trade in the wake of Brexit.

The Donegal TD met Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London on Wednesday. His department is responsible for the border controls applying to agri-food goods imported to Great Britain from the European Union.

Speaking after the meeting Mr McConalogue said he had a very useful discussion with Mr Barclay and impressed upon him “our mutual interest in ensuring that trade in agri-food goods between our two countries functions as effectively as possible, notwithstanding the more complex administrative and control arrangements required as a result of Brexit”. 

“In this context, and against the background of the introduction this year of enhanced UK controls on agricultural goods entering and transiting Great Britain from the EU, we have agreed that our officials will engage closely to iron out any technical issues that might arise and avoid any unnecessary friction for Irish exporters.”

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Mr McConalogue welcomed the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive and acknowledged the effective partnership approach that had led to the restoration of the institutions.

He said the UK - Ireland bilateral relationship is deeply important to both countries. 

“We are joint stewards of the Good Friday Agreement, close neighbours with unique and diverse community ties; and trading partners who share hugely significant economic and strategic links. The restoration of the Northern Ireland institutions was critically important, and of course, the Windsor Framework provides an agreed basis that allows Northern Ireland, as part of the UK Internal Market, the unique advantage of access to the EU’s single market of nearly 450 million people. This can be a platform for growth and development in Northern Ireland into the future.” 

|The minister also took part in a business breakfast with UK business leaders to discuss the state of Anglo-Irish relations in 2024 and used it as an opportunity to highlight the positive commitment of the Irish Government to enhance the relationship with the UK into the future.

“Bilateral trade between UK and Ireland continues to grow in both directions and was worth some €122 billion or about €2.4billion a week in 2023.  The economic ties are extensive, integrated and mutually beneficial.  We cannot however take these economic relationships for granted; Brexit has demonstrated that we must continue to invest in the bilateral relationship with UK to maximise the benefits for both countries. I and the whole Government are fully committed to this and my visit to London yesterday provided opportunities to emphasise that commitment to a range of UK business leaders,” Mr McConalogue said.