Farmers fear NZ deal will hit livelihoods
FARMERS have blasted the UK’s new trade deal with New Zealand, warning that cheap lamb will damage British livelihoods.
The agreement will phase out quotas on lamb, beef and dairy products over 15 years – prompting fears that meat produced at a lower cost than is possible in Britain could flood the market.
National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters said the UK should be ‘very worried’ about the deal. She told the BBC: ‘It will have a massive impact because we have fully liberalised our marketplace.
‘Not just on lamb, but on dairy – we have the highest standards of any country on dairy, we have very high costs of production here... trade must be fair... our Government must now explain how these deals will tangibly benefit UK farming.’
New Zealand’s meat is cheaper to produce due to factors such as a mild climate, higher yields and lower disease rates.
Labour argued the deal would undermine the competitiveness of farmers and the standards that they are required to maintain. Shadow international trade spokesman Emily Thornberry told MPs: ‘According to the Government’s own forecast, this deal will lead to reductions in growth and jobs in the UK farming sector because, and I quote, “New Zealand’s producers may be able to supply UK retailers at lower cost relative to domestic producers”.’
But International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan replied: ‘We will never compromise food standards for food coming into the UK.’
The deal will see tariffs of up to 10 per cent removed on UK exports, including clothing and footwear. It will also be easier for Britons to live and work in New Zealand.
Popular products from New Zealand, including manuka honey and kiwi fruit, will be cheaper to buy here, while tariffs of up to 20p per bottle will be removed from wines such as white sauvignon blanc and red pinot noir.
Miss Trevelyan yesterday announced that Professor Lorand Bartels had been appointed chairman of a new Trade and Agriculture Commission to independently scrutinise new trade agreements.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss will use a trip to India this week to announce technology and infrastructure deals aimed at boosting trade links.
‘Massive impact’