UK farmers could grow more if Brexit talks fail – Grayling

UK FARMERS will be encouraged to “grow more here” to prevent increases in food prices potentially caused by a no-deal Brexit, a senior Cabinet minister has suggested.

Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, said he believed Britain and Brussels will be able to reach a “sensible agreement” on the UK’S terms of withdrawal from the European Union.

However, he insisted that the UK will “succeed come what may” as he sought to downplay concerns that leaving the bloc without a deal could lead to large increases in food prices.

He warned that no deal would cause “damage” to food producers on the continent but suggested the UK could counteract problems at home by lifting domestic production, in comments that echoed the “Dig for Victory” campaign of the Second World War.

Asked what would happen if new, post-brexit trading arrangements were not put in place, Mr Grayling said: “What we will do is grow more here and we’ll buy more from around the world. But, of course, that will mean bad news for continental farmers, and that’s why it won’t happen. Because it’s in their interest to reach a deal.”

Mr Grayling also appeared to put himself at odds with Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, who last week said that a no-deal Brexit could result in holidaymakers’ flights being cancelled. The Transport Secretary said: “Flights will carry on. Most of the world, planes fly without open skies agreements.”