Donald Tusk has said EU leaders have given the "green light" for preparations to begin on post-Brexit trade talks.
After months of slow progress, Prime Minister Theresa May's appeals to EU leaders in the last few weeks have had some impact.
They agreed this morning (20 October) that they will start getting ready for talks about the UK's long term relationship with the EU.
The European Council President, Donald Tusk, said he has given the "green light" for the second phase of Brexit talks to begin - talks on trade and the transition to Brexit.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he hoped it would be possible to reach a "fair deal" with Britain.
"Our working assumption is not the 'no-deal' scenario. I hate the 'no-deal' scenario. I don't know what that means," he said.
'Running out of patience'
National Farmers' Union (NFU) President Meurig Raymond said farmers are "fast running out of patience" with both parties over the Article 50 negotiations.
“The time has come for both the UK and EU governments to acknowledge that businesses and individuals across Europe will suffer if a deal securing an ongoing and closely-integrated economic relationship is not reached,” Mr Raymond said.
“A no deal - in terms of a transition period or the long-term future relationship - would have severe affects for UK farmers and growers.
“With the vast majority of our exported farmed produce going to the EU any impacts on food production and farming would have severe knock on effects to the entire food supply chain, and ultimately the public.”
'Severely curtailed'
Mr Raymond said access to a "competent and reliable" workforce would be "severely curtailed" in the event of a no deal.
He notes that many farm sectors are already struggling to fill job vacancies in the wake of the referendum vote.
“Further reduction in people available would see a corresponding reduction in investment in the industry, at a time when we are at one with the Government’s desire to see growth in both productivity and output in our sector,” he said.
“Perhaps there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with the announcement that preparations for negotiations to move to the future relationship will now commence. However, we are under no illusion that this falls short of a decision to actually move the negotiations on.
“Negotiators must now show determination and recognise the urgency of acting consensually and considerately in reaching a Brexit settlement that works for farmers, the wider economy and the public.”
