The impact of Brexit has been huge for the food and drink industry in the UK, but it has also had a profound effect on its nearest neighbour, the Republic of Ireland.

In recent decades, the European Union has been beneficial for Ireland. Not just because of frictionless, tariff-free trade, but in terms of economic development, cultural ties and politics too.

And in the middle of all this; the delicate border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. 

A border which became ever more transparent after the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.

In the aftermath of Brexit, and in order to protect the Good Friday Agreement, there were no new checks on goods passing between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Instead, the border was placed in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

This has had a ripple effect on politics, on trade, and on the food industries in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and Great Britain.

So in this episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we are going to look at all of this from a food industry perspective.

Guests:
Paul Kelly, Head of Sectors and Director, Food Drink Ireland
Michael Haverty, Partner, The Andersons Centre