Farm optimism

Contrary to Brian Henderson’s defeatist assessment (“Deals sound like putting lipstick on a pig”, 21 August), Scottish farmers and food producers have every reason to be confident about their future as we regain control of our agriculture policy and embrace trade with the rest of the world.

The latest figures show exports of UK food and drink grew to £10.2 billion in the first six months of this year, up 4.5 per cent, and the value of exports increased in eight out of 10 of the UK’S largest export markets.

The recent access we have opened up for UK exporters to markets in China and the Philippines demonstrate that there is a desire for high quality, safe British food in markets across the world. It is wrong to ignore the opportunities we have already opened up for British exporters, built on confidence in our supply chains, as well as the safety and quality of our products.

The analysis Mr Henderson cites considers three purely hypothetical outcomes; indeed, the report itself states that the scenarios are designed to be “illustrative” – not speculating on the final outcome of the Brexit negotiations or future trade agreements with countries outside the EU.

For the first time in more than 50 years we have a golden opportunity to design a new approach to agriculture and negotiate trade deals with the world that will help our food industry to grow more, sell more and export more great British food.

Far from the bleak picture Mr Henderson presents, we can and should go out into the world with confidence and pride in our farmers and the food they produce.

GEORGE EUSTICE Minister of State for Agriculture,

Fisheries and Food