Farmers are warning the Government to consider the impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit scenario on an already “vulnerable” farming industry.
Farmers remain anxious about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit amid growing political turmoil and uncertainty.
On Monday (17 December), Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanded a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister for delaying a crucial Commons vote on her Brexit deal.
Theresa May has previously said that the rejection of her Brexit deal will lead to “division and uncertainty”.
She now has to persuade MPs to back her deal before a re-scheduled vote due the week of 14 January 2019.
The Labour leader said on Monday: “It’s bad – unacceptable – that we should be waiting almost a month before we have a meaningful vote on the crucial issue facing the future of this country.”
The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has now warned the Government to consider the impact of ‘no deal’ planning on the farming community.
Of all the sectors of the UK economy, farming is by far the most entwined into the EU whether through policy, trade or the free movement of labour.
The Government has been urged to ensure that it does not respond in a way which could damage the agricultural industry in the long term if the UK ends up leaving the EU in March without having agreed a transitional period.
'Vulnerable'
The warning by the TFA comes as the Government published its forecast for this year’s total income from farming in the UK, predicting a 15% reduction in overall income and a 6% reduction in the contribution agriculture will make to GDP.
This is largely due to weather related factors with a prolonged cold, wet winter, little or no spring, followed by a dry, hot summer.
TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said: “The sector is already vulnerable and could be further hit badly in some of the scenarios being predicted for ‘no deal’”
A significant concern is on trade, with the Government talking about allowing tariff free access to the UK for goods from abroad in order to minimise market disruption for consumers.
Mr Dunn added: “Although understandable, the Government must guard against allowing access for food products produced to lower food safety, environmental and animal welfare standards than allowed in the UK.
“It must also plan for mitigating measures against the tariffs that will be faced by UK farm exports heading to Europe. Keeping these markets open will be vital while we negotiate new free trade agreements with the EU and other countries.
“However, the Government must step in to maintain returns to primary producers in the interim,” said Mr Dunn.
'Urgent measures'
There will also be regulatory hoops to jump through including ensuring the UK achieves official third country status to be able to trade with the EU, and having the necessary export health certificates agreed.
“We need the Government’s assurance that all of this will be in place,” added Mr Dunn.
“Access to labour should also be a key focus for Government. With the extent to which many of our farms, food processors and the food logistics network is reliant upon labour from the EU, this will not be easily replaced by UK born labour in the short term.
“Urgent measures will need to be put in place to secure labour, so our productive capacity can be maintained,” he said.
