From The Editor
The Prime Minister’s speech from Florence on Brexit
was broadly welcomed by the NFU, the Food &
Drink Federation and Dairy UK, but all expressed
concern over the lack of detail and wanted clarity on
the issues of EU labour and farming subsidies.
» » NFU PRESIDENT, MEURIG
Raymond said: “Farmers
and growers are becoming
increasingly alarmed at
the prospect of a “no deal”
departure from the EU.
The resulting disruption to
trade, access to labour and
business stability would
pose a fundamental threat to
the viability of many of their
businesses.
“We believe at least two
years is needed to ensure
a smooth Brexit, while also
agreeing a future relationship
between the EU and UK
which recognises their
mutual importance in terms
of trade.
“With over 70% of our
exports of food and non-
alcoholic drinks being sent to
EU markets, the NFU has been
making the strongest case for
a comprehensive free trade
agreement between the EU
and UK.
“We were pleased to hear
the Prime Minister say there is
no intention to impose tariffs
where none currently exist,
which the NFU takes as a
strong commitment to securing
a free trade deal with the EU.”
Dr Judith Bryans, chief
executive of Dairy UK, “We
welcome Prime Minister
Theresa May’s proposals today
to protect the common travel
area of the Republic of Ireland
and to protect the rights of EU
citizens working in the UK. …
The EU is our biggest export
market, and so it is vital we can
continue to trade tariff-free and
maintain a close and positive
relationship whilst negotiations
continue and beyond.
“We welcome a transition
period as this would provide
stability. However, we also
believe it is important that both
the UK and EU take steps to
address ongoing concerns over
access to skilled and unskilled
EU labour and subsidies for UK
farmers once this period ends.“
Ian Wright CBE, FDF Director
General, said:
“The onus is on the UK
Government and the EU to
demonstrate concrete progress
by the time of the