Chequers Brexit plan ‘is the only option for farmers’ says Hall

Despite promises of revolt within the Tory party if the Chequers agreement on Brexit is not dropped, the deal remains the closest to the farming industry’s preferred trade option with the EU of a single market and customs union.

Warning that a “no-deal” Brexit would be a disaster for Scotland’s farmers and crofters, NFU Scotland yesterday urged all politicians to get behind the deal thrashed out earlier this year.

Giving evidence at a session of Westminster’s Scot- tish affairs select committee in Glasgow yesterday, NFU Scotland director of policy, Jonnie Hall, said that post-brexit access to trade remained a “fundamental issue” for Scottish farmers and crofters.

“We want to be as close as possible to the single market and customs union to secure frictionless, unfettered access to the EU while retaining the ability to develop new markets,” Hall told the committee, adding:

“Our greatest fear is a WTO default and ‘no-deal’ scenario.”

He said that while internal UK markets were the most significant outlet for Scottish farm produce, there was a requirement to sell beyond Scotland and the UK.

“Trade is a two-way street and the UK remains a significant market for other member states, especially the Irish. At the end of the day, a pragmatic agreement on trade must win out,” he said.

“It is important that politicians of all parties put their shoulder to wheel and secure something as close to Chequers agreement as possible. If we step away from that, it will be detrimental to UK and Scotland.”