The NFUs' Brexit views - NFU, NFUS, Cymru

Theresa May’s enigmatic “Brexit means Brexit” comment as she moved into 10 Downing Street will surely enter the lexicon of political quotes whichever way things go in the negotiations.

Six months on from the referendum however it is becoming increasingly clear that Brexit is not a fixed idea and all will be to play for. Agriculture is no exception and each of the major representative bodies has a different take on either exploiting the opportunities or softening the blow.

National Farmers Union
NFU can’t be accused of not preparing the ground carefully. Over the summer it has been consulting members and at a Council meeting on October 11, it was announced that a policy paper would be produced by next spring. This will tie in neatly with Theresa May’s end-of-March triggering of Article 50.

NFU has also signalled serious intent by appointing Nick von Westenholz as Director of EU Exit and International Trade. Mr von Westenholz is returning to NFU after a spell as Chief Executive of the Crop Protection Association.

Meanwhile several priorities have emerged. Best possible access to the EU marketplace is seen as essential. The EU is the UK’s biggest agri-trade partner by far taking about 75% of our food exports including 38% of annual lamb production.

Trade deals are seen as vital too and NFU points out how hard it will be to replace the 54 trade agreements which the EU has with countries around the world.

The other side of the coin is food imports. Depending on the hardness or softness of Brexit they could be very cheap. NFU points to the effects on the viability of English farming and highlights the phytosanitary risks of importing meat and produce from countries where standards are low.   

Access to migrant labour from EU member states is also seen as critical. Many fruit, vegetable and dairy farms would struggle to attract replacement labour domestically and the processing sector relies heavily on skilled and unskilled workers from Europe.

NFU Scotland 
NFUS was quick out of the post-referendum staring block. By early July it had issued a ten-point list of demands which by-and-large remain unchanged. 

Primarily there is a call for farming not to be used as a “bargaining chip” in trade negotiations. This is a valid point when larger lobbying groups such as motor manufacturers and financial service providers will be pushing their respective cases.

NFUS also wants to see continued recognition of the Protected Geographical Indicator status for Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI. These are EU recognitions and in theory could continue once the UK is “out” but there is no guarantee.

There is also a call from the Scots for pesticide registration to be based on risk rather than hazard and for decisions to be based on science rather than dogma.

As with NFU there is a clear call for access to migrant labour. The large scale soft fruit businesses in Scotland would be particularly vulnerable if any restrictions were put in place.

NFU Cymru

Deputy President of NFU Cymru John Davies recently travelled to the Conservative Party Conference to lobby Defra Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Farm Minister George Eustice. Specifically, Mr Davies asked them to place far more emphasis on local procurement in a post- Brexit scenario.  Wales has a multitude of local brands and these should be favoured, he urged.

NFU Cymru is also very aware of the opportunities which the likely shift of funding from Pillar One type support to environmentally orientated Pillar Two funding.  Welsh farmers are well placed to take advantage of such schemes but only if there is a robust Rural Development Programme (RDP).