UK farm profits set to suffer

The profitability of the UK food and farming sector is being threatened by the EU’s refusal to accept ‘equivalence of standards’ for certain UK agri-food products, as well as excessive bureaucracy for exporters, according to a new report by a committee of the House of Lords in the UK parliament.

The EU Environment subcommittee said current trade was being obstructed by red tape, with some business coming to a standstill since the start of the year.

Sanitary and phytosanitary measures were mentioned in particular, which it said were considered even tougher for UK exporters than for New Zealand exporters, who did not have any preferential trade deal with the EU.

While organic food products had been granted ‘equivalence’ status as part of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, seed potatoes, certified seed and some varieties of fresh and processed meat had not, the report explained. Therefore, these products were currently excluded from the EU market.

The report also highlighted instances where increased bureaucracy was creating difficulties for exporters, with physical checks, pre-notification, export health certificates, and labelling requirements all slowing down the process.

Another concern raised was the availability of veterinarians, especially to sign off export health certificates to guarantee the health of live animals and animal products being shipped to the EU. Despite government recruitment, the British Veterinary Association estimated that a further 350 veterinarians were required, the UK Farmers Weekly reported. – Staff reporter

PIXABAY UK livestock farmers, in particular, could face financial challenges due to the trade barriers that have been introduced by the EU as a result of Brexit.