(Mid Norfolk)
(Con): Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not
“Project Fear” when the National Farmers Union and all the
agricultural unions warn of an embargo on animal product exports,
which are currently worth £3.15 billion, in the event of no deal?
In the case of the lamb industry, 94% of its exports go to the
EU. This is not “Project Fear”; this is serious “Project
Business”.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs (Michael Gove): My hon. Friend makes a good
point. There have been some exaggerated claims about the impact
of a no-deal Brexit, and the British economy is resilient. He is
absolutely right, however, that farmers in some of our most
vulnerable sectors, in constituencies that Members across this
House represent, would be significantly adversely affected in the
short term...
(Newbury)
(Con):...I really urge people to listen to industry and
to the letter we received today from the four presidents of the
NFU. If one represents a rural area and minds about our food
industry and the rural economy, that letter is calm, deliberate
knowledge...
(Mid Norfolk)
(Con):...Despite our differences, it seems to me that we
are all agreed on one thing: this deal is not perfect. I have
said so myself and I have many reservations. I had hoped that the
Prime Minister would come back from Europe before Christmas with
a concession on the backstop. She has come back with a
concession, and I hope that there will be more before the vote
next week. Let me be clear that I have supported no deal as an
option for two and a half years in order to get the best deal.
The negotiation is over. In my view, it would be woefully
irresponsible of the Government to pursue no deal. I will do
everything to ensure, yes, that we leave the European Union with
an orderly deal, but not with no deal. When I hear , an ardent Brexiteer,
warn as the chief executive of Next that the cost of food and
clothes—basics that our constituents rely on—would go up
dramatically with a no-deal Brexit, when I hear the Royal Society
warn that a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for our science
and when I hear the National Farmers Union warn that
British agricultural would be hit without a deal, with a
potential trade embargo affecting our £3 billion food export
industry, please do not accuse me of “Project Fear”; this is
serious “Project Business” for the people we serve...
Mr (Dumfries and Galloway)
(Con):...As a result of this deal, we will again become
an independent coastal state. In December 2020 we will be free to
decide who has access to our waters. We will be able to create a
support system that meets the needs of our farming and rural
communities, including my own in Dumfries and Galloway. In
Scotland the withdrawal agreement has the support of
organisations such as the Federation of Small Businesses,
the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the
Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Fishermen’s
Federation...
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