Arla Foods has joined farmer organisations from across the UK and several other EU countries to call for politicians to “pull out all the stops” to avoid a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.
The call was made during the ‘Beyond Brexit: Farming for our Future’ conference in Whitehall, London today (October 25).
The conference brought together farmers, government officials and businesses from across the UK and five European countries – including Denmark, The Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, France and Germany – for the first time.
“It is important that the future relationship between the UK and EU remains open and farmers on both sides of the channel have a level playing field,” said Peter Giortz-Carlsen, executive vice-president of Arla Europe.
With Brexit negotiations stalled, the prospect of a no deal is becoming very real.
Arla has consistently advocated against a so-called ‘hard Brexit’, putting forward a positive solution which promotes free trade and high animal and food safety standards.
A unique trade system
Giortz-Carlsen added: “The agricultural food supply chain between the UK and the European Union is unique and has been built up over many years.
“It allows agricultural products to be moved across the EU quickly and with limited bureaucracy. Because of this, consumers have come to expect and cherish the high quality, affordability and variety of our dairy produce.
“Analysis carried out by the London School of Economics on behalf of Arla showed that a no deal Brexit will break this supply chain.
And with agricultural products facing some of the highest tariffs in the world, a no-deal will significantly impact the industry and ultimately consumers will suffer.
“We expect higher prices and less choice. Today we saw agricultural leaders from across the EU and UK unite in their determination to ensure that Brexit does not threaten the future of the agricultural food industry.”
