Discussions are set to take place between the UK and Turkey over a revised and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with UK farm organisations keen to grow the market for their produce.
The FTA currently in place was signed in December 2020 and predominantly covers industrial goods and provided continuity to businesses, thereby safeguarding supply chains following the UK’s departure from the EU.
A clause was included in the FTA that committed the UK and Turkey to reviewing the trade relationship, a process which began last year.
A consultation is expected to be launched which will be an opportunity for businesses, organisations and individuals to help shape the UK’s negotiating aims ahead of the talks with Turkey.
NFU president Minette Batters said: “A new and updated trade deal with Turkey could present opportunities for UK farmers to sell more quality, sustainable British food overseas, especially for products such as our lamb and dairy.
“If we are granted greater access to the Turkish market, I am confident that our traceability, food production and safety standards would be very well received by consumers there and we could see the value of our exports grow.”
Batters added that the forthcoming talks offer a chance for the government to “uphold its values on high production standards, its commitment on fair competition for UK farmers, and to consider the full impacts and opportunities for our domestic agricultural sector”.
Following the consultation, the government expects to start renegotiations next year.
Trade with Turkey
With the trading relationship between the UK and Turkey worth £23.5 billion in 2022, a 30% increase from 2021, the discussions are being welcomed as an opportunity to grow the partnership further.
Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade, Kami Badenoch said: “Turkey is an important trading partner for the UK and this deal is the latest example of how we are using our status as an independent trading nation post-Brexit to negotiate deals that are tailored to the UK’s economic strengths.
“I look forward to using the deal to deepen the UK-Turkey trading relationship, drive economic growth and support businesses up and down the country.”
A statement from the Department for Business and Trade said: “A new FTA could also potentially lead to cheaper goods and more choice for UK consumers.”
