Frictionless trade with EU essential for livestock sector

Livestock sector calls for Brexit negotiations on trade to ensure safety of meat on the market, UFU reports.

Livestock representatives from farming unions in all parts of the UK attended a meeting in Edinburgh, hosted by NFU Scotland. Top of the agenda for the representatives was the on-going uncertainty over the UK Governments policy for post-Brexit trade.

Farmer representatives from the Ulster Farmers’ Union, NFU, NFU Cymru and NFU Scotland were clear that the UK Government must adopt a trade policy which prioritises tariff free, frictionless access to the European marketplace.

At the meeting the four organisations agreed that there were concerning media reports over the possibility of the UK market being opened up to low standard imports from outside of Europe, should the Government not recognise the sensitive nature of beef and lamb.

Speaking following the meeting, UFU deputy president David Brown said, “From today’s meeting it is clear that any future trade with countries outside of Europe must be negotiated on the basis that all imported produce must meet UK and EU standards of production, traceability and environmental protection, it is therefore essential that the UK Government recognise the sensitive nature of beef and lamb. Additionally, for our future trade with the EU, the UK Government must adopt an approach which avoids any barriers to trade in to the European market.”