Unions issue warning over no deal Brexit

Livestock representatives from NFU Scotland, the Ulster Farmers’ Union and NFU Cymru say the prospect of the UK leaving the EU with no trade deal would have serious implications for the beef and sheep sectors. The comments were made following a recent meeting in Belfast. NFU Scotland livestock committee vice-chairman Jimmy Ireland said: ‘A no deal Brexit could have unthinkable consequences on Scottish farms and crofts. ‘The UK currently exports more than £380 million of lamb and sheep meat, with the vast majority being exported to European markets. Any imposition of barriers to trade as a result of Brexit will impact thousands of sheep and cattle farming businesses across Scotland. ‘We also need to see the UK government secure future protection of our food names, such as Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI. These names are synonymous with quality and we need to see them protected from imitation, both in the United Kingdom and the European Union. ‘Future support for the food and farming sector must deliver on-farm profitability that ensures there is a critical mass of cattle and sheep to drive productivity across the supply chain.’ Wyn Evans, chairman of the NFU Cymru livestock board, added: ‘The government in its trade talks with the EU must ensure we have measures in place that continue to allow tariff-free and unfettered access to export markets in Europe. This is vital to maintaining the already tight margins in this sector.’ The UK unions are committed to working together to highlight this to decision-makers over the summer and autumn as the UK enters a critical period in the Brexit negotiations.