Marginal gain on third country status but Brexit threat remains

A small hurdle cleared – but no answer to the massive problems associated with a cliff edge Brexit.

That was the verdict yesterday on the news that the UK had been granted third country status for animal and animal products – a move which would allow exports into the EU.

However, farming organisations warned that it did nothing to address the problems of high tariffs and other barriers to free trade which would be triggered in the event of a no deal Brexit.

“This technical approval does not change the balance of risks associated with a ‘No Deal’,” said NFU Scotland president Andrew Mccornick

“If the UK leaves without a deal, then farm produce will still face high tariffs, making exports non-viable, and that would have a real impact on farm and croft incomes, damaging the rural economy.”

The National Sheep Association welcomed the announcement as the lack of such a technicality would have denied UK producers access to the EU market entirely:

“Had we left without listed status being secured, sheepmeat exporters would have lost access to the EU market overnight with no knowledge of when it may be returned, which would have been very damaging for the industry,” said Eleanor Phipps.

However she added that the NSA was still emphasising the risks of a no-deal as exporters would have to face the 40-50 per cent tariffs to export under a nodeal scenario.

Acknowledging the benefits of the move, the British Veterinary Association also warned that the UK would see a significant increase in the volume of certification for exports – and repeated its concerns about the impact this would have on an already strained veterinary workforce.