East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has said that trade between the UK and Republic of Ireland demonstrate the importance of a sensible and practical future trade agreement for the Irish economy.

His comments follow the release of figures to the DUP MP detailing imports and exports between the UK and Ireland in 2009 and 2019.

He said,  “The importance of the UK internal market is already well known for Northern Ireland. As we trade more with Great Britain than we do with the rest of the world combined, access to our own national market is the single most important factor for the Northern Ireland economy.

There has been less attention paid to the importance of the UK market for the Irish economy. Whilst the UK exports more to ROI than it imports, it equates to a much larger percentage of the Irish economy given the relative size of each. It is also notable that trade between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland has increased over the last decade. The UK is not just a huge market for Irish goods, but it is growing in importance.

No sector is more dependent upon the United Kingdom than the Irish agri-food industry. The Irish Government’s own figures show that almost 50% of beef exports go to the UK and over 20% of dairy exports.

All of this continues to underscore the need for a sensible and practical future trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Whilst the UK has been clear that a zero tariff, zero quota trade deal is its aim, yet the European Union is raising issues like the ‘Elgin marbles’ into trade talks. Such actions are aimed at frustrating a sensible outcome, not reaching one.

Whilst the Republic of Ireland is obviously focused on domestic issues at present, perhaps before the transition period has ended there will be some voices raised from across the border encouraging the EU to seek agreement rather than reach an outcome which damages their own member states.”

DAERA Minister Mr Edwin Poots, has vowed to fight for our local fishing industry and support its growth as he visited Kilkeel Harbour this week.

The Minister met with Mr Alan McCulla, OBE, Chief Executive of the Anglo-Northern Ireland Fish Producers Organisation, and representatives of Sea Source, to hear first-hand the issues facing the Northern Ireland fishing industry.

After the meeting, he said: “I visited Kilkeel to see for myself the current concerns facing our fishermen.

 “I recognise the challenges faced by our industry and will stand up for our local fleet.  I’m very keen to hear how we can work together to help with the industry’s ambitious plans for future development. 

"We discussed potential future fishing opportunities in the Irish Sea and even more pressing, the need to protect and support the industry to prosper, post-Brexit. I have made clear that it is unacceptable for our industry to be at any disadvantage.

"The industry has made real progress in improving sustainability and we need to build on this to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for the industry.”