‘Soft Brexit best for future of agriculture’
FARMERS’ unions have joined supermarkets and some of Britain’s largest food prcessing companies to warn the Government of the dangers of a hard Brexit.
Migrant workers and tariff-free access to the single market are vital for the industry, they warned in letters to Prime Minister Theresa May, First Minister Carwyn Jones and the first ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The letter was signed by the NFU in England, Scotland and Wales as well as the Ulster Farmers Union and 71 food businesses with a total turnover of more than £92bn. The companies include Dairy Crest, Arla Foods, Weetabix, Wyke Farms and Muller Milk & Ingredients.
NFU Cymru president Stephen James said: “Brexit creates an enormous opportunity for farming, food production and for Britain. But to deliver this new future, we must secure the best possible access to the single market and continued access to a competent and reliable workforce. Agriculture is a litmus test for Brexit negotiations.
“As the sector most heavily impacted by the referendum outcome, if our governments can make Welsh and British farming a success post-Brexit then it will be the clearest indication that the country can succeed outside Europe.
“This letter sends out a strong and powerful message on the importance of food and farming across Wales and the UK. I am pleased that a number of leading companies operating in Wales are signatories to this joint letter and have signed up to our key asks.”
The letter states: “We are clear that the outcome of this negotiation will have far-reaching effects for our sector. But we are equally clear that a settlement that recognises the critical role of the UK food chain will demonstrate how Brexit can be beneficial not just for our sector but also the wider economy too.”
The signatories add: “We have a bold and ambitious vision for our industry; one where competitive, profitable and progressive farming and food businesses deliver an increasing proportion of the nation’s needs for high-quality, safe, affordable food to British people, as well as expanding into new export markets.
“We know that we have the strong support of consumers who value the British provenance as well as the daily care we take to manage the environment and safeguard the integrity of our crops, animals and production processes.”
The writers point out that food production is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, bigger than automotive and aerospace combined, and that its economic reach spreads into every UK constituency.
And they highlight the two key issues – tariff-free trade and access to labour – that the sector depends on and that will be critical in the negotiations with EU leaders over leaving the Union.
The letter states: “For our sector, maintaining tariff-free access to the EU single market is a vital priority. It is where 75% of our food exports go, so all our farming and food businesses wish to achieve this outcome.
“The sector needs access to EU and non-EU seasonal and permanent labour, alongside assurances that EU workers already working permanently in the UK are allowed to remain.
“This access to labour is essential as it underpins the UK food chain’s timely delivery of high-quality affordable food to consumers. We would urge that the UK Government seeks both these goals as the whole of society and the economy will benefit.”
Farmers fear they will not be able to find the staff to pick, grade and pack crops if Britain no longer has unrestricted access to EU workers.
But Mrs May indicated curbing immigration was more important than remaining part of the single market when she gave an update on plans for Britain’s departure in a speech to Conservatives in October.
European leaders have made clear their opposition to giving Britain concessions on freedom of movement if it wants to remain part of the trading bloc.