Union aware of Brexit fall-out

NFU Scotland’s President Andrew Mccornick said the union was acutely aware of the implications of Brexit for the industry – and was currently in the middle of wide-ranging discussion with its members over what policies and support would be needed in the years ahead.

He said it was abundantly clear that there must be no ‘Brexit cliff edge’ for Scottish agricultural businesses:

“The importance of a phased transition to new arrangements is recognised in the scenarios included in the research issued today - and in the trading proposals unveiled by the UK Government yesterday.”

He said a phased transition which opened with unfetterd access to EU markets was necessary to offer certainty and stability in the short to medium term:

“And such arrangements must be in position for the full duration of negotiations and until a Trade Agreement between the UK and the EU is in place.”

However, he warned that UK negotiators should not underestimate the challenge which lay ahead in reaching such a deal with the EU.

“A new customs agreement between the EU and the UK needs to cover 100 per cent of goods and avoid lengthy delays at UK-EU borders.

“This is no small task but NFUS is clear that any outcome that imposes tariffs could be catastrophic for parts of Scottish agriculture – the sheep sector in particular.”

He said the union would be looking closely at the UK government’s White Papers on Trade and Customs which was due to be released in the autumn.