Brexit may be good for farmers, says princess

PRINCESS Anne has suggested Brexit and the pandemic could provide an “opportunity” for Britain’s farmers.

Anne, 70, said the issues have provided a firm challenge but insisted there is now a chance for agricultural workers to find new markets.

In a podcast interview for the Oxford Farming Conference, she was asked if UK food sectors were in a good place to compete in the world market place.

The Princess, right, said: “Some are much better prepared than others because they already, in a way, have a global market in some areas. Whereas, in others, it’s been very much an internal business. It’s been very different for them.

“There’s Brexit and how people cope with that. And for some it will be an opportunity.

“For others it’s been the impact of the pandemic which equally has been a mixed experience. But you only have to look at the blockages at the ports to know that we need to be more resilient in some of these areas. “And I hope that’s something that not just the retail but the customers will understand is a really important aspect of our countryside. “It’s not because somebody wants to grow things.

“There is a real purpose here and that will end up in your shopping bag quite possibly.”

PRINCESS Anne can see a critical role for farmers in securing the UK’s future. The threat of disruption at ports has reminded us that Britain must be able to feed her people.

As she put it, we “only have to look at the blockages at the ports to know that we need to be more resilient”.

The princess, the honorary president of the Oxford Farming Conference, speaks with authority, understanding and passion about agriculture. Her pragmatic yet upbeat view of the sector is a reflection of her own strengths.

We share her hopes that people both in the UK and far beyond will gain a new appreciation of just how delicious our brilliantly British food can be.