Theres no quick fix: Brexit could spark potato shortage in Ireland, experts warn – The Independent

Brexit could lead to a significant shortage of potatoes for Irish consumers by 2023, experts have warned.

Prior to the UKs departure from the EU, the majority of potato seed used by Irish farmers for varieties such as Kerr Pinks, Golden Wonders and British Queens had been imported from Scotland.

But under post-Brexit rules and following the UKs departure from the single market, exports of seed potatoes those not consumed but used to plant other potatoes from Scotland to Ireland are no longer allowed.

While many in Ireland are hopeful that the changes will spark a revival of home-grown Irish seed potatoes, experts warned this week that there is likely to be some disruption in the years ahead.

Its a bit of a conundrum to be honest; weve limited seed crops growing here and UK potato seed imports arent approved, Shay Phelan, a potato specialist at Irelands Agriculture and Food Development Authority, told the Irish Times.

A derogation was sought to import seed but it wasnt successful and that will have a big impact on some farmers. If we got access to a derogation for seed growers we could fill the gaps but even that would take a year or two.

Most growers should have enough seed for this year following a strong crop yield, meaning that consumers are unlikely to see a significant impact until 2023, Mr Shay said.

John Carroll, a grower in County Louth, warned that it will be a big issue unless something is done with the seed industry, telling the paper: We dont save seed because its completely different, thats why theres so few seed growers in Ireland because its hard to get right.

Irelands agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue has pledged to help revive Irelands own seed potato industry, with these efforts heavily reliant on production at the research farm, Tops Farm. But Mr Carroll warned it will take several years to fill the gap left by Brexit.

We need to get foundation stock and I dont know when Tops Farm will have tonnes of seed to give out and sell. This thing takes years to get right, he said.

Similarly, the Irish Farmers Associations (IFA) former national potato chairman Thomas McKeown told the Irish Times that Brexit provides a great opportunity here for seed growers, but it will take about three years and its going to be a bit of a pain, adding: Theres no quick fix.

While exports of seed potatoes from Great Britain to Northern Ireland have also been banned, the DUP has previously cited potatoes as a food whose strong domestic production means it should be safe from shortages.

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) warned that the loss of the European market was significant north of the border.

The immediate seed potato export ban caused by Brexit disproportionately affected Scotland, because a significant portion of Scottish potatoes are grown as seed potatoes and are exported worldwide, NFUS spokesperson Bob Carruth told The Independent.

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Theres no quick fix: Brexit could spark potato shortage in Ireland, experts warn - The Independent