‘Deal must offer free and frictionless trade’
AFARMING union has urged the UK Government to ensure that whatever deal is agreed in the next phase of Brexit negotiations ensures “free and frictionless” trade between Britain and the remaining 27 members of the EU.
NFU Cymru welcomed the news that Prime Minister Theresa May and EU negotiators had agreed a deal that should pave the way for Brexit talks to move on to the next phase.
NFU Cymru president Stephen James said he hoped that the agreement would be ratified by EU Council leaders this week.
He added: “This is a positive step forward and will allow negotiators to move on to the next stage of the negotiations to discuss future arrangements, including trade, which will be of the utmost importance to farmers in Wales.
“With around three quarters of Welsh food and drink exports going to the EU, including over a third of the Welsh lamb crop, it is imperative that the UK’s negotiators strike a deal that secures continued free and frictionless trade between the UK and the member states of the EU.
“The consequences of such a deal not being reached would have major implications for our sector and would have severe impacts for many parts of our industry, and a huge knock-on effect for Wales’ economy.”
Mr James said that there was a “great deal” of uncertainty for businesses in Wales.
He said: “In the context of agriculture, where production cycles take place over a number of years and with many animals currently being born on farms in Wales not being marketed or reaching their productive potential until after we leave the EU, time is most certainly of the essence in terms of striking a deal that enables farmers to make decisions that will affect the long term viability of their businesses.”
Mr James added: “The joint report states that following the withdrawal from the Union, the UK will continue to participate in European Union programmes financed by the Multiannual Financial Framework 20142020 and this is to be welcomed.
“We now seek clarity from the UK Government as to what this means as far as our commitments as part of the CAP and to the support received by farmers in Wales under the current Basic Payment Scheme and Rural Development programme.”
FUW deputy president Brian Thomas called on the UK Government to make sure Weksh farmers had the same right of access to the EU market as those in any other parts of the UK.
He said: “We need to recognise the impact that failure to secure such access and reach agreement for Wales could have. Denying Wales access to the Single Market and Customs Union would have catastrophic consequences, as recently highlighted in scenarios from the FAPRI and Horizon reports.”
Last week Plaid Cymru Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Simon Thomas said Welsh agriculture faced “the greatest uncertainty” following the decision to leave the EU.
He said: “There is uncertainty regarding funding the sector postBrexit, trade deals post-Brexit, and who will make the decisions on laws and policies for the sector post-Brexit – Wales, as at present, or will London seek a power grab?
“We comprise about 5% of the UK’s population, but we receive almost 10% of European expenditure in these countries under the CAP. This reflects how much of Wales is agriculturally disadvantaged compared with other areas. We must struggle to retain every penny.
“Trade and exports must also be defended - fighting for full customsfree access to European markets and ensuring that farmers face no barriers to trade.”
Mr Thomas said the Welsh Assembly should agree to any external trade deals before they are signed.
He added: “Similarly, I believe that we must agree on a British framework for agriculture jointly with Scotland, England and Northern Ireland and reject any attempt by London to impose a system on us.”