NFU agrees six principles for post-Brexit farming amid political turmoil

Theresa May's abrupt U turn on a Commons vote on her Brexit deal has created further uncertainty for the farming industry (Photo: Peter MacDiarmid/Shutterstock)
Theresa May's abrupt U turn on a Commons vote on her Brexit deal has created further uncertainty for the farming industry (Photo: Peter MacDiarmid/Shutterstock)

The NFU have agreed six principles to encourage the best outcome for British farmers when the UK leaves the EU next year following further political turmoil.

The principles were agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the NFU’s Council held at Central Hall, Westminster on Monday (10 December).

It follows Prime Minister Theresa May's abrupt U-turn after days of repeated insistence that a vote on her Brexit deal would go ahead on Tuesday.

No date has been set for the Brexit deal vote, although Mrs May indicated the final deadline for the vote was 21 January.

The pound fell to its lowest level in two years amid fears that a no-deal Brexit was now more likely.

NFU President, Minette Batters said farmers are “deeply frustrated and disappointed” that nearly two and half years after the referendum the UK Government are no closer to finding out the details of the UK's future relationship with the EU.

The farming industry has repeatedly said that a 'no deal' scenario would be catastrophic for farming, but new political events have created further doubt and uncertainty.

The six principles agreed are:

• Avoiding a ‘no deal’ outcome and any short-term political and economic turmoil

• Ensuring as free trade in agri-food goods as possible with the UK's principal EU market

• Gaining greater regulatory control and discretion over UK farm practice

• Maintaining access to the seasonal and permanent workforce required by the UK food chain

• Ensuring international trade respects domestic production standards

• Implementing a new agricultural policy framework that supports farmers as food producers, improves productivity and resilience and properly rewards the delivery of public goods.

'Absolutely unacceptable'

Mrs Batters said it is “absolutely unacceptable” for the farming industry to left with this level of uncertainty.

“The NFU has been clear today about what it believes are the crucial elements of a healthy and productive post-Brexit future for British farming,” she said.

“We will be using these principles to assess which, of any, future options on the table are most, and least, likely to ensure farmers can continue to serve the country, producing food for the nation.”

She added: “We are hopeful that policy-makers on both sides of the channel will come to a workable solution as a matter of urgency.”

“These are extraordinary times and the NFU is committed to remaining on the front foot during an ever-changing political climate.”