Union warns over shockwaves a no-deal Brexit would bring

Any overnight change to the trading situation for beef and lamb triggered by a no-deal Brexit would have a detrimental impact on the already depressed returns being received by Scottish cattle and sheep farmers.

Warning that the shock waves of such an outcome would be compounded by the UK government’s refusal to change its approach to tariffs on imported foodstuffs, NFU Scotland yesterday stressed once again the urgent need to avoid such an outcome and the ensuing market disruption. Following a recent meeting of the union’s livestock committee, chairman Jimmy Ireland said that in the event of a nodeal Brexit there had to be an emergency aid package to support the sheep sector in the face of significant pressure on the farm gate price.

“NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee recently agreed that emergency aid should prioritise supporting the price of prime lambs, to support finishers, while also directing a portion of emergency support toward breeding ewes to preserve the nation’s breeding flock.”

On beef he said the current proposals put forward by the UK government would expose the country to imports from third countries and threaten Scotland’s high standards of production:

“Partly as a result of Brexit uncertainty, the current beef price remains completely unsustainable and has been for the majority of 2019. ” n Farm minister, George Eustice will today be scrutinised by the House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-committee on Defra’s state of readiness for a ‘no deal’ Brexit. The Committee will focus on the possibility of food shortages.