| 2019-01-16 |    |
NSA Statement following Commons Vote to Reject PM's Deal
Although not surprised, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is immensely frustrated by the crushing rejection of the Prime Minister’s proposed Brexit deal and the evidently poorly-managed negotiation process to date.
With Parliament now dealing with a vote of no confidence, the organisation is calling for this to be dealt with urgently and to work together to quickly agree a way forward.
NSA
Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments:
“It is very concerning
that two and a half years after the EU referendum, and two and
a half months before we leave the EU, our politicians have chosen
to block the only Brexit deal we have on the table – and that
now the Government’s future has been thrown into question. All
the preparation went into the proposed deal and it was the only
thing on the table that offered British agriculture any kind
of confidence. Right now the only thing we know is that we are
heading closer and closer to a no deal, something we know would
be extremely damaging for sheep farming and for our wider agricultural
industry. Who knows what will emerge over the next few days and
weeks, but it is unacceptable that businesses don’t have a clue
about the framework they will be working within in some 80 days’
time. This is not an acceptable situation and NSA will continue
do everything in its power to keep driving the dangers home to
MPs.”
In the case of a no deal scenario, NSA has been highlighting the potential for a huge loss of export markets with some 35% of British lamb currently going overseas and the vast majority of that (96%) being solf into the EU. Rejecting the deal adds to the likelihood of a no deal Brexit, which would lead to an immediate closure of trade with the EU that could last for months, before trade may re-open but with high tariffs applied.
Mr Stocker continues:
“A no deal would result in the immediate
loss of EU access, with no alternative options, and would cause
immense disruption to our markets for months – if not longer.
When re-established, adding a tariff to the cost of production
would be very worrying for UK producers who already produce at
a high cost to meet the UK’s world leading welfare standards.
There is potential for tariffs to be as high as 50% of the value
and, while we may see a fall in sterling ,it would not be enough
to offset higher export costs. If this situation comes about we
could see a sharp decline in the national flock, with few alternatives
for many grassland farmers, and the loss of the infrastructure
that supports our industry.
“No one should be fooled into thinking we are protecting our industry for its own sake. Our sheep farmers are producing highly nutritious food for the nation, the most sustainable fibre on the planet, as well as keeping our countryside and rural communities they way most people like them. Agriculture and sheep farming is of national interest and now is the time for MPs to start providing us with answers.”
