The National Farmers' Union has given a cautious welcome to conclusions on the first phase of the negotiations between the UK and the EU.
Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker declared that "sufficient progress" had been made on the "divorce issues" to begin the negotiations on their future trading relationship.
The government has confirmed that there will be no "hard border" with Ireland; and EU citizens in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU, will see their rights protected.
The decision will now be approved by the other 27 EU leaders at a summit on Thursday (14 December).
Now, the start of trade discussions will be seen as crucial in ensuring that the UK food and farming industry can thrive in a post-Brexit era.
'Difficult and complex'
NFU President Meurig Raymond said this is a "significant and positive" step forwards in a "difficult and complex" negotiation, adding that there are still outstanding vital details which food and farming businesses need to understand.
Mr Raymond continued: “Securing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK is important for the many people working in vital roles in the British food and farming industry – from farm vets right through to those picking and packing British produce.
“Negotiators from the UK and the EU have agreed that there should be frictionless trade in goods between Ireland and Northern Ireland and also within the UK market. This is an important statement of intent and an outcome the NFU has strongly argued for.
“We are reminding Government at this crucial time of the high standards to which British farmers produce to, which allow people in this country to buy safe and traceable food underpinned by the Red Tractor logo.”
The NFU President also called on all parties to maintain the momentum: “I am greatly concerned that despite this important step, farming businesses urgently need certainty about the terms of any transitional agreement which needs to be in place as early as April 2019.”
New domestic agricultural policy
The NFU has released a document outlining what it would like the government to adopt as part of a new domestic agricultural policy.
The document aims to ensure UK farming is profitable and competitive in the future as the UK leaves the EU.
The paper, entitled 'Delivering a Bold and Ambitious Future for Farming' sets out opportunities for a British agricultural policy.
It builds on the key themes the NFU sees as being integral to an agricultural policy; volatility, productivity and the environment.
