The UK decision to introduce tariffs on agricultural commodities between the UK and Ireland under Brexit without a deal is either a “defining moment” or a “potential disaster”.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said it would be "very harmful." Speaking in the Irish parliament, the minister said that "the announcement by the British government of the tariff regime has very devastating consequences for Irish agriculture, especially in the beef, dairy, poultry and pork sectors."

When moving goods from Ireland to Northern Ireland, according to the Brexit interim inaction plan, there will be no tariffs. But when moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK, tariffs will apply. Although the UK said it would reduce tariffs by 87% of its imports, about 13% of its products - beef, lamb, pork, poultry and some dairy products - would be subject to a tariff to support farmers and manufacturers that “have historically been protected through high EU tariffs,” the UK government said.

Coveny said that this move could cause € 800 million of damage to the Irish agricultural sector, as it would have to compete with goods from countries like Brazil. Speaking on Irish radio, Angus Woods of the Irish Farmers Association said tariffs were “the defining moment.” ”For the Irish agricultural sector, and warned that it might not be able to withstand tariffs.