Trade deals risk consigning our farms to history
In her article about the threat from trade deals with New
Zealand and Australia, Minette Batters was passionate and persuasive, stating her case that British farmers should not be undermined. This is only natural as she is the president of the National Farmers’ Union, but it impresses me that she would go the extra mile for her beleaguered farming community.
The Government needs to take her and her union seriously before, as she rightly states, sustainable British farming becomes something we used to do.
Judith Daniels, Great Yarmouth
I was not surprised to see a trade deal between us and New Zealand but, regardless of the price, I will not be buying their meat. I haven’t bought New Zealand lamb since I read that they kill all lamb the halal way. This form of slaughter to me is barbaric, so I will not purchase any on principle.
Ian Verdon, Watford
For far too long farmers have cried poverty and collected subsidies from the EU and Government. They need to become competitive and reduce their prices – the public have had to pay high prices, and if imports are cheaper, we will buy them.
David Hall, Hampshire
There’s a supermarket chain in Spain called Mercadona, where more than 85 per cent of its stock comes from Spain. I wonder if the UK could create a supermarket that has the same allegiance to national produce so people can buy British? I’d love to see one.
Mariella Cabello, Marbella
The post-Brexit trade deal with New Zealand is a disgrace. It will undercut farmers by shipping in meat produced to lower welfare and environmental standards, putting our farmers and consumers at risk.
G. Gardner, Kent
I am doing my level best to buy British, no matter what I need. It is not easy and it has come as something of a surprise to me to discover just how many goods in our shops are made abroad and in countries that have questionable human rights records. The UK has been asleep at the wheel for decades and is too reliant on cheap imports.
David Grant, Aberdeen
How did a remote country like New Zealand get it right with their farming so that they can export all around the world? Maybe our farmers need to take a leaf out of their book and do the same. If you have a good product at a good price, the consumer will buy it.
C. Edwards, Swindon
I have only ever experienced grumpy farmers and had a poor opinion of them in general, but having watched Clarkson’s Farm, I can appreciate why they may be grumpy and just how hard they work.
It was an unexpected education and a great series.
I. Brown, Chester