MEP highlights Leitrim distillery in European Parliament tariff debate

MEP Nina Carberry has warned that proposed U.S. tariffs could hit Irish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) hard, citing the example of The Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo, during a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday, September 10.

Speaking in Strasbourg, the Midlands North-West MEP pointed to her recent visit to the Leitrim distillery as evidence of both the success and vulnerability of small Irish exporters.

“The Shed Distillery has built a strong foothold in the U.S. market, with more than 35 percent of its exports going there,” Carberry said.

“For Irish whiskey producers, the US remains the single largest market. So a tariff rate of 15 percent will have a significant impact on Irish brands competing with domestic American whiskeys and bourbons”, she added.

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Carberry also urged EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to take mitigating action.

“The EU should review its support for SMEs, and the next EU budget should provide targeted help so they can diversify, reach new markets, and access funding to face current challenges.”

She also warned of wider consequences. “This is not just about distilleries. U.S. tariffs will hit the entire sector and the farmers who supply it. 

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“The knock-on impact across the agri-food chain, in particular tillage, must not be ignored,” Carberry concluded.