Europe calls for end to uncertainty

While UK farmers might feel frustrated and isolated as they fret over the lack of movement on post-brexit trade agreements on agricultural products, confirmation came this week that they are not alone.

Yesterday the umbrella group representing European farming unions and co-operative groups (Copa/ Cogeca), along with the continent’s ancillary trade body, Celcaa and Food and Drink Europe issued a call for an end to the uncertainty.

With trade in farm commodities and food and drink products accounting for more than 11 per cent of goods sold by the EU27 to the UK, a call was made to avoid any “cliff edge” Brexit:

“This means keeping the ‘status quo’ during a transition period that allows existing trade and customs arrangements to continue largely unchanged until a new trade agreement enters into force,” said the organisations in a joint statement.

They also called for a comprehensive EU-UK Trade deal which allowed frictionless trade to continue:

“Without an EU-UK trade agreement, movement of agri-food products in both directions will face tariffs and non-tariff barriers.”

The submission said that while tariffs could be high, non-tariff measures such as customs declarations and the associated delays could be equally expensive:

“Any delays at customs will lead to goods being spoiled and food waste.”

The group called for a comprehensive trade deal which would include provisions on customs procedures; rules of origin; protection of geographical indicators and mutual recognition in terms of food safety legislation, sanitary and phytosanitary certificates.