Food sector sets goals to ensure Brexit is a success
THIRTY-SIX organisations representing the UK’s food and farming industry have set out what a successful Brexit means to them in a joint statement.
It comes after representatives met at the NFU’s Brexit360 event at its HQ in Stoneleigh to discuss common ground in the industry.
Delegates at the conference agreed a number of high-level aims that the Government must seek to achieve in the coming months as the UK prepares to leave the EU. They include:
Maintaining free and frictionless trade with the UK’s major trading partner, the EU, and securing the benefits of existing EU preferential trade arrangements with other countries;
Ensuring ongoing access to an adequate supply of permanent and seasonal labour for food and farming businesses;
Continuing to promote food production through agricultural policy alongside the UK’s existing high environmental and animal welfare standards;
Ensuring businesses operate under an efficient and proportionate regulatory system that is centred on scientific evaluation and incentivises innovation and competitiveness.
NFU Cymru president John Davies said: “This statement is a strong signal urging government to recognise the crucial role the food supply sector will continue to play in post-Brexit Britain in providing people with a safe, secure and affordable supply of food to some of the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world, in managing over 70% of the UK landmass that is farmed, in providing 3.9 million jobs in industries both pre- and post-farmgate, and in contributing to two of the UK economy’s big success stories – UK manufacturing and retail.
“The Government must ensure it supports these vital advantages delivered by UK food and drink businesses as it negotiates our withdrawal from, and future relationship with, the EU.
“This is a strong coalition of 36 signatories that represent a huge range of food businesses from farmers and agricultural suppliers to food manufacturers and retailers.
“And there is more to come. We have agreed to build on the principles discussed and agreed during the day, and to produce a shared manifesto harnessing the support of food and drink companies across the UK ahead of the EU Council in March.”