Defining the future after Brexit
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.”