Sheep association attacks PM May over single market comments

Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive
Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive

At a time of uncertainty among farmers, Prime Minister Theresa May's indications that the UK could leave the single market have been branded 'unhelpful' by the National Sheep Association.

In representing its sheep farming members, the organisation said it does not support the UK walking away from the single market being used as a 'negotiating position' within Brexit negotiations.

Departure from the single market could be 'disastrous' for UK sheep farmers, the group said, devastating agricultural sustainability and rural communities.

"On average, 30-40% of the total lamb crop produced and mainly processed in the UK is exported," said Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive.

"With some 96% of this output going to countries within the EU, any loss of access or tariff placed on this, coupled with the absence of alternative trade options, will not only cause huge disruption to trade but an almost inevitable fall in farm gate prices.

"If this were to happen at the same time as the industry is facing extensive uncertainty around farm support payments, the potential impact on the UK sheep sector would be crippling.

UK 'cannot afford to leave'

Mr Stocker said the UK 'simply cannot afford' to leave the single market and pass any costs of tariffs back to the agricultural industry until alternative and 'workable' trade deals are developed elsewhere.

He continued: "Wider, global trade development at a scale to replace what we have with the EU is an extremely long term goal that needs to be discussed in the context of a long transitional period if we were to leave the single market.

"NSA understands the need for a tough negotiating stance, but our exit from the EU needs to be done with a clear vision for the future so that businesses can plan and adapt. Sheep farming, like most farming sectors, is a long-term activity where decisions taken today may take years to come to fruition.

"A two-year EU departure with an immediate departure from the single market is nowhere near long enough to steer the sheep farming industry through one of the most seismic changes we could possibly face."

Self-sufficiency

As a nation, UK sheep meat consumption figures are roughly in-line with domestic production, with export and import figures almost balancing at present, in order to cater for seasonal fluctuations in supply and balance demand for certain carcase cuts.

Mr Stocker said loss of access to the single market and the potential market disruption this would causes should prompt questions about self-sufficiency, an aspiration that might make sense but would require significant restructuring of the industry.

"If we were to strategically aim for greater self-sufficiency, the high level of welfare and environmental standards expected from UK producers would need protection from cheaper imports.

"The UK needs to be able to compete with other nations, and we must not fall into the trap of exporting environmental, welfare or social problems to the extent that they are simply out of sight."