Think-tank to explore impact of Brexit

A new cross-disciplinary thinktank has been created to explore the impact of Brexit solely on the food, farming and environmental sectors.

Agricultural and environmental consultancy ADAS announced the formation of the organisation in order to provide independent evidence, insight and analysis in relation to the issues that the UK leaving the European Union (EU) raises for the agricultural industry.

The ADAS Brexit Policy Group (ADAS BPG) – which will serve both the industry and the Government – will aim to help to quantify and understand the impacts of Brexit, and to minimise and manage the uncertainties created using evidence, analysis and practical applied knowledge, it said.

According to ADAS, the think-tank will focus on the practical implications behind the headlines and opinions relating to critical agricultural issues.

It will provide an independent source of research and comment to help government organisations and businesses to prepare their options and to minimise the effects of Brexit by asking the right questions, assessing alternatives and scenarios, and prioritising actions and mitigation measures.

ADAS BPG chairman and ADAS director James Clarke says: “The key issues for the agricultural industry will be getting clarity on immigration and its impact on labour and skill availability. Trade relationships and life after the Common Agricultural Policy will also have significant financial implications for the industry.

“Recognising these challenges and the needs of businesses and policymakers for evidence, knowledge and insight, we saw a role for ADAS as an independent information provider to those preparing for Brexit. Sitting at the interface of policy and practical knowledge, ADAS is well placed to provide the balanced information necessary. Understanding the interactions and holistic issues based on evidence is of critical importance in what could become, all too easily, an insular or polarised debate.

“The ‘hard’ Brexit agenda that is emerging from the Government indicates that global issues and interactions are likely to have great significance. Equally important is starting to predict and respond to the likely timescales for change, especially for ensuring risk mitigation and the retention of business resilience.

“The major issues, such as immigration and trade, are priorities. Others, such as regulations affecting environmental protection and the authorisation of pesticides and veterinary medicines, although having opportunities for simplification and change, may have to wait to enable changes to be phased into strategic planning.”