The Scotsman

Defining the future after Brexit

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While UK politician­s appear to be in aBr exit imposed policy paralysis, farming unions have continued to try and define future policies for the industry.

With the elections to the European Parliament only a week off, the four NFU Unions in the UK yesterday published a joint document calling for a policy environmen­t that allowed farmers, crofters and growers to grow and thrive.

The document, ‘UK farmers navigating change in Europe: An agenda for the future’ highlights six critical policy areas where action is needed to help deliver a profitable, pro - duct iv ea nd progressiv­e farming sector. These areas are headed, not surprising­ly by B rex it but then they cover other major areas of concern to the farming industry.

These are Trade and Standards, Climate Change, Environmen­t, Healthy Plants & Animals, and Science and Innovation.

In the document, the Presidents of NFUS cotland, NFU, NFU Cymru and the Ulster Farmers Union state that they want to engage with both domestic politician­s and those from across the EU 27 to highlight the importance of working with the industry.

In recognisin­g the possible short term nature of being elected a UK MEP the Presidents state, “However long UK MEPS are in post, it is important they understand and engage with UK farmers. Our industry provides the quality ingredient­s for our safe, traceable and affordable supply of food and underpins the UK food and drink sector, worth £122 billion.

“Whatever the outcome of Brexit we need a policy environmen­t that allows farming businesses to continue to deliver bene - fits for the public such as high quality, affordable food and protection for our wildlife and countrysid­e.”

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