UK does not have blank sheet to create post-Brexit trade and farm support policies, says adviser

Trade Organisation

(WTO) rules affecting agricultural and trade policy when it exits the EU, David Swales, head of strategic insight at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) believes.

AHDB has explored the relevant issues in a new Horizon report, released yesterday and available online. Mr Swales said: “The WTO exists primarily to liberalise world trade, and provides a framework of rules to achieve this. These rules are far reaching and have implications not only for UK trade but also for UK policy and policy of the devolved nations. Brexit means the UK will need to notify the WTO of its intended schedule of tariffs and levels of support. An open question remains on whether the UK will inherit the current level of tariffs and support from the EU, or whether it intends to produce its own schedule.

“In addition, there are some Tariff Rate Quotas such as those for New Zealand lamb that have been agreed at WTO level. The question on how these will be divided between the EU and the UK is also yet unanswered.”

Mr Swales went on: “It has been suggested animal welfare standards could be used to prevent imports from countries with lower standards than the UK.

“However, WTO rules mean this is highly likely to be challenged by other member states, and needs to be based on a sound scientific or legal basis if UK standards are to be set higher than the prevailing international standards.

“In terms of policy support, the type of policy the UK can adopt postBrexit is also constrained by WTO rules, with trade distorting subsidies being limited and reduced.”

United Auctions sold 109 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to average 226.9p (+13.8p on the week), while 185 store bullocks levelled at 238.7p (-0.9p).

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold four prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to average of 210.5p. In the rough ring 27 beef cows averaged 146p and 44 dairy cows levelled at 119p.

The firm also sold 792 prime lambs to a top of £115 per head and 242p per kg to average 213p (-22p) and 288 cast sheep saw heavy ewes average £82, and light ewes level at £57.

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 817 prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £114.50. EDINBURGH investment platform Nucleus has confirmed it will reduce the fees it charges clients whose portfolios are worth half a million pounds or more a day after industry watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced a crack-down on fund management fees.

Annual charges for anyone who has invested up to £499,999 via the platform will remain unchanged at 0.35 per cent per but will drop from 0.25 per cent to 0.175 per cent for accounts worth £500,000 to £999,999 and from 0.15 per cent to 0.05 per cent for anything bigger.

When announcing a crackdown on asset management fees this week the FCA said it would now review the platform market.