Trade deals bolstered food exports by £850m – report

EU study: Europe’s agreements increased sales and jobs across agri-food

Trade agreements with countries such as Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland have proved pivotal to the economic success and resilience of Europe’s entire agri-food sector.

That was the conclusion of a new independent study, carried out on behalf of the European Commission, which revealed trade with three principal countries alone had bolstered food exports by more than £850million.

The pre-Brexit study, carried out on behalf of the commission by independent consultancy Copenhagen Economics, said Europe’s fundamental trade deals had helped to significantly increase agricultural sales and jobs right

“Based on our record we can support jobs and grow income”

across the agri-food sector.

“Trade deals, done right, are a force for good for our farmers and food producers,” the EC’s commissioner for trade, Cecilia Malmstrom, said.

She added the study provided a platform from which Europe can now continue to cut “unnecessary red tape” and get “rid of barriers” in its trade negotiations going forward.

According to Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan, Europe’s agreements with Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland were not only of considerable export value but supported approximately 20,000 farming jobs as a direct result.

“These three agreements alone have also raised value-added in the agrifood sector by 600million euros (£511million),” Mr Hogan said.

“Just as importantly, this increase in exports has supported thousands of jobs in total across the EU, most of which in the agri-food sector, including in primary agriculture,” he added.

“These figures are clear evidence that ambitious and balanced trade deals work for European food and farming.”

Following Brexit, outside the EU, the UK will need to strike new deals in order to maintain free trade with both remaining EU member states and countries with which Europe currently has free-trade agreements, including countries such as Norway, Switzerland, South Africa and South Korea.

Giving evidence to the House of Lords European Union Select Committee on the implications of Brexit for Scotland, NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker recently stressed the importance of trade deals and ongoing access to markets for Scottish produce. He said: “I believe, based on our record, we can support jobs and grow income but only if negotiators prioritise agricultural production and back our successful food and drink industries.”

Prof Nigel Gibbens