Northern Irish farmers 'reassured' after meeting with Gove

Defra Secretary Michael Gove has "reassured" the Northern Irish farming industry following news that local exports could "collapse" if the UK fails to agree a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

Mr Gove visited Northern Ireland to discuss the future of the food and farming industries outside the EU.

It comes as news that the Northern Irish meat industry could decline by 21%, with exports to the EU declining by over 90%, if the UK reverts to WTO trading conditions in the event of a failure to agree a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

But the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president, Barclay Bell, said it was encouraging that Mr Gove accepted the "overriding need" for farms to be profitable.

“This is the second meeting we have had with the Secretary, and I believe he is taking on board the issues raised by the farming industry,” said Mr Bell.

'Undermine'

Mr Gove showed his support to maintain the current arrangements between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and also with the European Union.

Mr Bell said: “We were pleased to hear him restate his position that lower standard imports should not be allowed to undermine UK producers. We also received assurances about farming and the food industry maintaining access to labour, which was welcome.”

The UFU said it was encouraged by Mr Gove’s commitment to continue the existing level of support during the current Parliament and also his willingness to see decision making devolved to the UK regions, in line with existing funding commitments.

“We discussed his suggestion of a freeze in individual payments to farmers during a transitional period until a new support system was introduced and of the potential to pilot new support mechanisms, which we could possibly implement at a regional level,” said Mr Bell.

'Grasp opportunities'

Speaking after the meetings, Mr Gove said the Northern Irish food and drink industry is the leading sector the economy, employing tens-of-thousands people and generating around £5 billion from food sales.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, we have the chance to design a new approach to food and farming that works for the whole of the UK, not least for Northern Ireland," Mr Gove said.

"Today’s meeting with agricultural leaders was a chance to hear first-hand from them as we move towards life outside the EU. We will continue to work closely with industry to ensure we grasp the opportunities that leaving the EU presents."

The roundtables held are part of a series of ongoing Government engagements across all parts of the UK ahead of EU exit.