Brexit plans go awry as virus takes centre stage

The coronavirus crisis has blown all Brexit plans off course. Most observers now believe it is only a matter of time until the government is forced to concede that the December deadline for the end of the UK transition period will have to be delayed. Despite claims that progress was possible, ministers have found a lack of interest in Brussels in trade negotiations.

London has had to abandon the process for giving EU citizens settled status in the UK post-Brexit as staff engaged in this have been redeployed to virus-related work. The wider issue now is what state the UK, EU and global economies will be in to discuss, let alone implement, new trade deals.

Most economists expect coronavirus to trigger a global recession with a very slow recovery, prompting fears about where and how the UK would find new trade partners if it cannot secure a deal with the EU. This is why delay is now more palatable than the ultra-high risk strategy of walking away without a deal.

The European Commission has unveiled measures to help agriculture through the coronavirus crisis, but they stop short of the multi-billion euro package some member states and farm lobby organisations want.

Central to the package are soft loans to help rebuild businesses, member states will be allowed to keep unspent rural development funds and there will be a relaxation of rules on information member states send to Brussels.

The submission date for single payments has been delayed until June and the commission will allow advance payments from October, at 85% for rural development and 70% for direct payments. This remains a sticking plaster for the present problems and the issue of rebuilding shattered economies is continuing to put pressure on European unity.

Across Europe the beef sector is emerging as the one hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis, and reflects the overnight loss of the food service sector because of the closure of restaurants which has hit demand and triggered significant price pressure.

The pigmeat trade was hit by the dislocation of its main export market in

China, but this is now recovering and is helping to stabilise prices.

The poultry sector has enjoyed strong sales as a popular meat for people in lockdown, but it is suffering problems maintaining its workforce because of the virus and large numbers of people self-isolating.

There are hopes that lamb will get an Easter boost, but without the food service sector it too is suffering the problems of the beef industry.

Meanwhile green groups are finding it increasingly hard across the EU to secure traction for their demands.

The commission’s carbon reducing Green Deal, which was a big win for these groups, has stalled, and the focus after the virus is likely to move to more practical issues around rebuilding shattered national economies.

Animal welfare groups are demanding tougher measures on live transport, but are finding little interest in their demands with a general public whose priorities have changed radically in recent weeks. The same applies to pressure groups demanding a phasing out of all chemical-based pesticides by 2035.