Wednesday, 23 January 2019

Brexit: and the impact on food and farming

On the Continent and Ireland, the farming industry is getting into a lather:
Brexit news: European farmers admit ‘no deal’ damage would be 'ENORMOUS' | World | News | Express.co.uk
No-deal Brexit: 'It’s reckless. You are playing with farmer incomes' - Irish Times
Brexit: France fears no-deal blow to farms - BBC News

But, then, so to is the farming industry in the UK:
Farmers For Action call for second Brexit referendum | The Scottish Farmer
Brexit: Farmers For Action calls for second referendum - Agriland.ie 
Farming unions in warning against no-deal Brexit - BBC News

The NFU has been making a lot of noise - with this from today:  

NFU outlines the impact of a no-deal on British food and farming

23 January 2019

UK - The NFU stressed why a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for British food and farming and outlined the importance of recognising the strategic importance of food production to the nation

Speaking at the Westminster Insight Future of Farming and Agriculture conference, NFU Director of Policy Andrew Clark reiterated that the NFU will be assessing any deal against its six principles agreed at the NFU’s Extraordinary Council in December.

He said: “This is a pivotal moment for British food and farming. Currently, we are just 67 days away from the UK leaving the EU and it is critical the Government avoid a no deal Brexit, which would be catastrophic for Britain’s farming sector.

“There is a very real risk that a no-deal Brexit could lead to an effective trade embargo on the export of animals and animal products to the EU, causing considerable disruption, but also the Government could choose to unilaterally lower import tariffs on food. This could lead to our market being open to imports of food produced to lower standards than those upheld by British farmers.

“It is crucial we avoid this outcome and the NFU will be assessing any deal on the table against our six key principles, which include vital measures for our sector such as ensuring free and frictionless trade with our biggest trading partner, maintain access to the seasonal and permanent workforce required by the UK food chain and implementing a new domestic policy that supports food producers.



Farmers - No-deal Brexit 'catastrophic' - Rural Services Network
No-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for food supply, say UK farmers | Politics | The Guardian 
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