The farming leader has suggested that food has been 'devalued'
A farm union leader has said that food has been "devalued" in a race to the bottom, urging the Government to think radically in the wake of the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union.
At its annual event, Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) President Barclay Bell said that farming had bold and ambitious plans for the next 20 years, but he said that these had to be a key part of the Brexit discussions.
“Food has been devalued. When it comes to price, it's a race to the bottom and this is simply not sustainable,” Mr Bell said.
“We now have the perfect opportunity for fresh and, indeed, radical thinking to develop a new way ahead for UK agriculture, but we need the full backing of the Government to help us deliver this.”
The annual event was attended by the Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire. He said that Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom had stated her intention to build "world-leading food and farming industries.”
The Northern Ireland Secretary said: “She is very clear that we have a significant opportunity to design new, better and more efficient policies for delivering sustainable and productive farming, land management and rural communities.
“I am also pleased that the Treasury has provided a guarantee to the agricultural sector that it will receive the same level of funding that it would have received under Pillar 1 of CAP until the end of the MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework) in 2020.
“It provides certainty and continuity while we develop a new approach to supporting agriculture and protecting our precious countryside.”
'Significant impact'
Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) President Barclay Bell said that farming had bold and ambitious plans for the next 20 years
Barclay Bell said that farming had a significant impact on the wider economy in Northern Ireland.
The overall economy benefited by ÂŁ7.40 for every pound spent by a farmer and he said that politicians, particularly those at Westminster, needed to take food and food security more seriously.
“Within the next couple of months we will have a document on the table, with a clear vision and a framework for the future of this great industry,” he said.
“Farmers are rightly proud of what they do – and we fight best for our industry when we do so together,”
The UK Government has said it wants to avoid a hard border
James Brokenshire said he recognised that farming made a vital contribution to the Northern Ireland economy.
“I may not know the ins and outs of a stripper sow or a well sprung heifer, but I do understand how fundamental agriculture is to Northern Ireland,” he said.
“With a 48,000 strong workforce, agriculture is one of Northern Ireland’s most significant employers.
“Its 25,000 farms cover over one million hectares. With its farmers, food producers and traditional food crafts, Northern Ireland produce is renowned at home and abroad.
“And you also play a key role in contributing to the £4.5 billion annual turnover of the agri-food industry as a whole, helping to deliver a stronger, more secure economy in Northern Ireland.” The industry was also a social and cultural force, he said.
Open border threat
One of the key issues raised by the UFU since the UK voted to leave the EU in last year's referendum has been the threat to the open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Farmers on both sides of the border have been lobbying to ensure that free movement between North and South continues after Brexit is complete.
EU negotiator Michel Barnier has said that an agreement between the United Kingdom and the remaining members of the European Union should recognise the "unique Irish position."
In its draft guidelines for negotiations the European Council stated its intention to try to avoid a hard border.
“The union has consistently supported the goal of peace and reconciliation enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, and continuing to support and protect the achievements, benefits and commitments of the peace process will remain of paramount importance,” it said.
“In view of the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, flexible and imaginative solutions will be required, including with the aim of avoiding a hard border, while respecting the integrity of the Union legal order.
“In this context, the union should also recognise existing bilateral agreements and arrangements between the United Kingdom and Ireland, which are compatible with EU law,” said the council in its draft.
'Unique interests'
The Northern Ireland Secretary stressed during his speech at the UFU annual event the UK Government's intention to avoid a hard border.
“I am fully committed to ensuring that the unique interests of Northern Ireland will be protected and advanced, and the UK’s unique relationship with the Republic of Ireland recognised.
“It is notable that the Prime Minister included a specific reference to this unique relationship as a priority in the Article 50 letter, which also set out the desire to avoid any return to a hard border.
“Those here today can be assured that we are going to make the most of the opportunities that our departure presents to Northern Ireland.
“In particular we will prioritise an outcome that means the land border remains as seamless and frictionless as possible, recognising the particular issues for businesses, like many of those represented here tonight, with complex cross-border supply chains and distinct animal and plant health regimes.”