ICSA president Sean McNamara has said the imposition of 20% tariffs on EU food exports to the US is yet another blow to Irish agriculture, warning that it will have serious consequences for Irish farmers. “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. 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 said.

Continuing, Mr McNamara said, “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. There is a real danger that this will drive down farmgate prices across all sectors, including beef and lamb.

 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. We cannot allow a situation where our exports become uncompetitive due to trade disputes that are beyond the control of ordinary farmers."

 Mr McNamara said ICSA is calling on the Irish government and the European Commission to engage in urgent talks to secure a negotiated settlement that protects agri-food exports. “We need a fair deal that ensures Irish farmers are not the ones left paying the price for broader geopolitical tensions."