Irish Dairy Farmers Cannot be Fall Guys in EU/China Trade Dispute

IFA President Francie Gorman has expressed concern that Irish dairy farmers could be innocent victims of a potential trade dispute between China and the EU.

This follows the announcement by China that they are commencing an anti-subsidy investigation into dairy products coming from the EU.

“It is absolutely critical that the EU ensure that Irish dairy farmers are not the fall guys in any trade dispute with China. Irish dairy farmers already suffered from trade tariffs in 2019 following the EU/US trade dispute. That outcome has to be avoided this time around,” he said.

According to Bord Bia, Irish dairy exports to China in 2023 were valued at c. €420m making up 7% of total global dairy exports, so it’s a very important outlet for Irish produce. However, cheese exports to China, the targeted product in the anti-subsidy investigation, make up a relatively small portion of overall Chinese exports.  

“Dairy farmers have put down an incredibly difficult 12 months. International dairy markets are now performing well which has driven a recent, and much-needed, lift in milk price. Minister McConalogue is leading a trade mission to China at the end of the month. It is critical that he uses this opportunity to assure Chinese officials that our dairy products are not in breach of WTO rules and should not be unfairly treated from a tariff perspective,” he concluded.