Part two of four from Stuart Meikle on Ireland, food security and feed(ing) the world delves into the relationship Britain and Ireland have with each other  -the two main islands of the archipelago referred to in the article’s title. Part one (see below) focused on Ireland, food security and nitrogen supply. Here, trade, animal feed, meats, durable forms of diary all feature.  

Although Irish agriculture is dominated by its exports of dairy and beef, the term export relates to trade that crosses political borders, not planetary ones. Although it is common to hear claims that it is a major global exporter of dairy products and beef, such a claim glosses over the fact that much of the produce feeds a very close, highly urbanised neighbour. Much of the rest is also internal EU trade.