Irish farmers face “serious consequences” due to new 20% US tariffs on EU food exports, the president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) has warned.
Speaking today, ICSA president Sean McNamara said the tariffs represent “yet another blow” to Irish agriculture, adding that while initial concerns have focused on dairy and whiskey, beef and sheep farmers will also be impacted.
“While much of the initial focus has been on our dairy and whiskey exports to the US, which are hugely important to the dairy and tillage sectors, it is crucial to recognise that this trade war also impacts Irish beef and sheep farmers,” McNamara said.
“We may not export large volumes of these products to the US, but anything that weakens the EU’s overall position in agricultural trade is bad news for our sector.”
He warned the US market is a crucial destination for high-value EU food products, and losing access would put significant downward pressure on prices.
“The US is a key destination for high-value EU food products, and if access to that market is curtailed, it will be extremely difficult to find viable alternatives,” he continued.
“There is a real danger that this will drive down farmgate prices across all sectors, including beef and lamb.”
McNamara expressed concern that competitors such as the UK and New Zealand are facing significantly lower tariffs, calling on negotiators to quickly find a resolution.
“The fact that the UK and New Zealand are being granted significantly lower tariffs than the EU underscores the need for our negotiators to step up and find a creative solution,” he said.
“We cannot allow a situation where our exports become uncompetitive due to trade disputes that are beyond the control of ordinary farmers.”
The ICSA is urging the Irish government and the European Commission to immediately engage in talks aimed at reaching a settlement to protect farmers from the fallout of the tariffs.
“We need a fair deal that ensures Irish farmers are not the ones left paying the price for broader geopolitical tensions,” McNamara concluded.
The tariffs come amidst wider international trade tensions between the US and the European Union, with concerns growing over the potential economic fallout for Ireland’s agricultural industry. Irish agri-food exports to the US have grown significantly in recent years, with the market valued at billions of euro annually.