Following its membership consultation on post-Brexit farming, the NFU has said the Norwegian European Economic Area arrangement was the most favoured model for British farmers.
The farming union has today laid out the key priorities for its trade and access to labour policies.
NFU policy position on trade is mainly centred around access to the EU Single Market.
Of the existing models, the Norwegian European Economic Area arrangement was the most favoured in the consultation, but a larger number are looking for some bespoke UK arrangements.
The NFU said it 'appreciates the political sensitivity' over issues such as labour movements, regulation and budget contributions.
These are matters that will need to be settled by negotiation, the NFU said. The primary concern is that farmers access to European market should not be fettered by tariffs or non-tariff barriers.
Access to markets in the rest of the world
The EU has negotiated more than 50 preferential access agreements with countries around the world.
In the worst case all these would need to be renegotiated by the EU, in addition to any further deals which the British Government might like to conclude.
The NFU's determination is that any future trading arrangements with any country, in or out of the EU, must be balanced, with the same conditions applying to imports as to exports.
"If this is the case then the best outcome would be that the UK remains part of the European customs union," the NFU said.
The consultation demonstrated overwhelming support for arrangements which limit farmers exposure to imports produced to lower standards (e.g. lower animal welfare standards, goods produced with products prohibited domestically).
This is not a straightforward matter as WTO rules prohibit discriminating against imports on the basis of their production methods.
The UK farming sector can promote the qualities and values of British production through assurance schemes, and the NFU believes more needs to be done both publically and privately in this area.
But there are limits to what can be done and this can only be a 'partial solution', the consultation has said.
NFU policy position on access to labour
The consultation found that most farmers want to trial a 'substantial' fixed-term work permit scheme for agriculture and horticulture targeted at non-EU workers during 2017.
There will also need to be assurance that EU workers that are already in positions have right of residency in the UK and that they will have right to leave and return to their home member state.
The government will need to commit to holding further discussions on permanent labour and seasonal labour for the medium to long term.
AHDB and the government are to provide significant investment in innovation, productive technology, robotics, automation and mechanisation, and to support science funding for research and development.
And in the longer term - working with the education system provide the relevant technical skills needed for the industry.
'We want full unfettered access to single market'
NFU President Meurig Raymond said if Brexit is well executed, then the 'whole of society and the economy can benefit from competitive, profitable and progressive farm businesses.'
“We want full unfettered access to the single market - our consultation was clear that members wanted a new bespoke deal with the EU," Mr Raymond said.
“Trading tariff-free has been hugely beneficial to both the UK and the EU - 38% of British lamb ends up on the EU market.
“We will be working with other UK farming unions and partners across the farming and food chain to achieve this outcome.
"Trade needs to be on fair terms, so we're calling on Ministers to ensure imported goods produced to lower standards or using practices banned in the UK are controlled.
“Access to a flexible and competent workforce is essential to British farming's competitiveness with 80,000 seasonal employees on farm now.
“We are calling for the Government to trial a substantial fixed-term work permit scheme for agriculture and horticulture targeted at non-EU workers during 2017.
“It is also right that EU workers already in positions have right of residence in the UK.
“And we'll be holding discussions with the Government on the level of permanent labour and seasonal labour for the medium to long term," Mr Raymond concluded.
