Farm groups say government pledge on EU payments 'diminishing every day'

The roundtable meeting on Brexit was chaired by NFU deputy president Minette Batters
The roundtable meeting on Brexit was chaired by NFU deputy president Minette Batters

British farm groups have said the value of government pledges on EU farm payments made last year are 'diminishing every day' as they meet for roundtable discussions.

A roundtable meeting on Brexit, chaired by National Farmers' Union (NFU) deputy president Minette Batters, has been set up to share concerns and to promote collective action before the nation goes to the polls.

The Farming Brexit Roundtable consists of the NFU, CLA, British Poultry Council, National Beef Association, National Pig Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, the Soil Association and the Tenant Farmers' Association.

Meeting for the first time last week, the organisations urged political parties to recognise the importance of agriculture to the economy and said it was a 'uniquely important time' for the industry.

Long term plans

"Our organisations welcome the commitment to honour EU payments until 2020, but farming is a long term business," they said in a joint statement.

"Frankly, the value of the assurance, given in August 2016, diminishes with each passing day."

Chancellor Philip Hammond pledged to guarantee billions of pounds for regeneration projects at risk because of Brexit, including agricultural schemes.

"Farm businesses need to know the long term plans of our political parties over the next decade, not just the next two years.

"So we urge all parties to make their plans clear in their respective manifestos to give farmers the stability required to instill confidence for the future.

Priorities

The roundtable said they considered the trading relationship in which farming will find itself post-Brexit.

They said 'it's clear' that there is a pressing need to secure continuing access to the European Union marketplace as a priority.

"The vast majority of food exports are to the EU, lamb and cereals being good examples.

"So every sector needs there to be free and frictionless trade with the EU to thrive long term, or face economic calamity of over-supplied domestic markets. Whatever the final outcome of the General Election, the next Government must secure a phased transition to the new trading agreements."