Unions in post-Brexit talks

Farming unions from across the UK will meet next week to start mapping out the future for farming post-Brexit.

The presidents of the four unions, including Allan Bowie from NFU Scotland, will meet at NFU England and Wales headquarters at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire on Monday.

Ahead of the meeting, the unions issued a statement where they pledged to work together to ensure farmers’ interests were protected in the UK’s negotiated exit from Europe.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop the right policies and the best trade deals,” said the unions.

“Our role now, working together, is to show leadership across our respective borders and help to shape our future.

“NFU Scotland, NFU, NFU Cymru and Ulster Farmers Union have a longstanding and close relationship that will be even more important going forward as we face the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead.”

The unions said agriculture was the “bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing industry worth £108 billion”.

“With this as our mandate we will continue to push our devolved Governments to ensure food and farming is front and centre of any new domestic agriculture policy and for its potential as a real force to deliver the UK’s public goods is recognised,” added the unions.