Supply businesses flag up need to keep links abroad
Away from the political headlines about the possible benefits or dangers from leaving Europe, farm supply businesses supplying UK agriculture have stressed the importance of maintaining future links outside the UK.
A workshop organised by the A gr i-B rex it Coalition which has members involved in machinery, animal health, crop protection, fertiliser, seed breeding and grain and feed trading heard from colleagues whose plans to expand from a UK base into the EU 27 had been put on hold while other businesses were looking or had taken decisions to create operational hubs for manufacturing and logistics inside the EU27.
The biggest call was for “certainty” on trade and regulation so that businesses could plan ahead. Several speakers pointed out that many the supply sectors had complex sup - ply chains.
One example given was vegetable seeds that could cross national boundaries several times as a variety was being developed and then multiplied up for sale. Speakers pointed out that customs delays and tariffs would undermine this sector.
However, the biggest headache in this sector would be the need for thousands of phytosanitary certificates which at present are not required in the single market.
In crop protection, a move from a hazard-to risk-based approach as suggested by some UK politicians would be welcomed by those in the business.
However, it was pointed out that for growers looking to export produce to the EU, the European approvals system would probably take priority.
Representatives of both crop protection and ani - m al health businesses highlighted the complexity of product labelling that Brexit might bring and the extra investment needed would be unlikely to be justified for niche crops or health issues.
Many of those present at the meeting in L ondon expressed concern over liberal trade regimes which they regarded as a double-edged sword.
Whilst such policies might open up markets, there was danger that it would also expose the UK to the potential of product dumping – putting both UK standards and businesses at risk.
To lobby against such unfair trade a Manufacturing Trade Remedies Alliance was formed.