UK farm union leaders have warned they are still ‘hugely concerned’ about how Brexit will play out following a series of votes on amendments in the House of Commons on Tuesday (January 29).
Calls have been made for emergency funding to be made available to farmers to help them prepare.
‘Catastrophic’
National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters said last night’s vote had “done little to provide much-needed certainty for the future of food and farming”.
“Time is running out,” she added. “With less than two months to go until we leave the EU, we are hugely concerned that a no-deal Brexit is becoming increasingly likely.
The NFU has been absolutely clear that this would be catastrophic for food production in Britain.
“Leaving the EU without a deal could well mean a trade embargo is imposed on animals and animal products going to the EU which, along with punitive tariffs on all goods going into the EU, would severely restrict livestock farmers’ export markets.
“Meanwhile, the potential for Government to unilaterally lower import tariffs on food could lead to British farmers being undercut by food coming into the country which may have been produced to lower standards than is legally required of UK farmers.
Although it is encouraging that the majority of MPs opposed a no-deal scenario in the votes last night, [the possibility of] no-deal cannot simply be wished away.
“An agreement negotiated between the EU and UK, and accepted by Parliament, must be reached urgently to protect the country’s ability to produce its own food and feed its people.
“The NFU will be assessing any deal against our six key principles agreed at an Extraordinary meeting of the NFU’s Council in December, which includes avoiding a no-deal and ensuring free and frictionless trade with our biggest trading partner.
“We are getting to crunch point now. British farming and food production, like the rest of the country, needs to see a deal in place so it can appropriately prepare for life after leaving the EU.”
Impacts of no deal
NFU advisors warn a ‘no-deal’ Brexit could be ‘catastrophic’ for British food and farming.
Products can only be imported by the EU from approved countries, and they warn it could take months for such status to be granted to the UK.
The lamb industry would be particularly impacted. In 2017, 31% of domestic sheep meat production – the equivalent of 4.5 million sheep – was exported with 94% of that destined for the EU.
Export tariffs could also be imposed on the 60% of UK food, feed and drink that go to the EU, increasing export tariffs to an average of 27% on chicken, 46% on lamb, 65% on beef.
The union also warned that trade barriers could also limit the availability of many farm necessities such as veterinary medicines, fertilisers, plant protection products, machinery parts, and animal feed.
Ulster Farmers’ Union president Ivor Ferguson said the union had been working with Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to prepare for a ‘no-deal’ exit.
“The votes in the House of Commons last night take us another step closer towards leaving the EU. How we do this, remains a concern,” he said.
“We respect the referendum result and that the UK will leave the EU; however, the uncertainty is very damaging.
With March 29 less than 60 days away, decisions need to be taken urgently and a deal agreed. Leaving the EU without a deal would be catastrophic for Northern Ireland’s farming families and their businesses.
“No deal means high tariffs on our exports creating an effective trade embargo and the possibility of lower standard imports flooding the UK market.
“These practical issues will have an immediate and profound impact on farmers. Causing major disruptions to the supply chain, crippling the industry and rendering our farmers uncompetitive.
“The amendment that was agreed by Parliament last night to avoid a no deal situation is not legally binding but does send a strong political signal to the Government that there is not a majority of MPs in favour of a no deal.
“We are continuing to work closely with DAERA on ‘no-deal’ contingency planning. However, in addition to this practical and logistical planning, to prevent the total collapse of our farming industry, farmers will need separate and additional funding for off-setting crisis measures.”
