2017-08-04 |
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Farmers Call for Commitments on Post-Brexit Transition
Fourteen farming organisations have come together to issue a joint statement on UK Government to provide short-term certainty for the industry as exiting the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy draws closer.
The 14 organisations say governments across the UK need to work together with the farmers and land managers to prepare for a new long-standing free trade agreement which retains and grows opportunities for food trade with the EU and the rest of the world. They also call for commitments on transition that will see the UK remain in the Customs Union until a full free trade agreement is in place with the EU.
They also call for commitments on transition that will see the UK remain in the Customs Union until a full free trade agreement is in place with the EU.
President of NFU Scotland, Andrew
McCornick, commented:
“Farmers
and land managers will benefit from new opportunities in trade
and agricultural policy. However, we must take the necessary time
to put in place the right trade agreements and to develop and robustly
test a new policy that will support farming and the environment
for the long-term.
“We need our governments to work together with us to establish a collaborative policy framework and common budget – which retains flexibility for the devolved administrations to deliver appropriate policies across the UK geared towards active, efficient and productive agriculture.
“We need a period of certainty in which this work can be done and we will continue to work with fellow farming organisations to achieve this."
Signatories to the statement include the British Poultry Council, CLA (Country Land and Business Association), National Beef Association, National Farmers Union, National Farmers Union of Wales, National Farmers Union of Scotland, National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, National Pig Association, National Sheep Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, Scottish Land and Estates, The Soil Association, Tenant Farmers Association and the Ulster Farmers Union.
