Securing accessible markets ‘more important than subsidy’

Agricultural Valuers figure poses key questions

Securing accessible post-Brexit markets for produce is going to be even more important for farm businesses than issues over support payments, according to one of Britain’s leading agricultural valuers.

Jeremy Moody, secretary to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) argues that with around 70% of the UK’s agricultural exports going to the EU, the outcome of trade negotiations will affect farm values and profitability more than other sectors.

And he warned that ensuring open trade for farm exports would be a huge challenge in the Brexit negotiations.

“If the UK is outside the EU customs union, one key issue will be the mutual recognition of standards alongside the practicality of customs controls,” he said.

Mr Moody posed a list of key questions which will need to be addressed when negotiations get under way.

“Will UK produce be accepted as meeting EU requirements without detailed checking?” he asked.

“How will we show traceability of grain if the EU bans glyphosate and the UK does not? Will UK abattoirs be accepted as automatically meeting EU requirements for meat being exported?

“How long will it take to get a consignment through customs and on what procedures?”

Mr Moody said similar questions would have to be asked of imports, whether for livestock feed or food more generally.

He added: “In the UK, what are the politics of tariffs on imported food likely to be?”

Charges on grain imports were abolished in 1846 and with a cheap food policy, VAT has been kept off food.

“For both imports and exports, much will need clarification,” he added.

“Our future trade arrangements are key to the fortunes of UK agriculture post-Brexit.”

Looking ahead to future trade agreements with the US and Australia or developing countries, he said that standards, tariffs and access to our market will be major points.

“Negotiations with the EU will just be the first step, as the UK will have to adapt to agreeing trade deals as an independent state,” he said.