The Environment Secretary will welcome the NFU President’s vision
for industry and Government to work together to maintain high
standards of British food production as the UK leaves the
European Union.
Speaking at the NFU Conference today, will reaffirm that the UK’s
high standards will not be compromised “in pursuit of trade
deals” and will look to work with the sector to enhance standards
even further. This includes working with the NFU to build a
consensus around how to uphold high standards on the
environment, food safety and animal welfare outside the EU.
Ahead of a Government announcement later this month on tariffs in
a no deal scenario, the Environment Secretary will also say that
the needs of British farmers and food producers will be taken
into account to minimise the risk of being left at a “competitive
disadvantage”. He will pledge to “use the tools” at the
Government’s disposal to make sure standards and the sector are
protected.
Addressing NFU members in Birmingham today, the Environment
Secretary will also:
-
Address the challenges for the industry in the event of
a no-deal Brexit, including the significant
impact on upland farmers and the trade in sheep meat and beef.
He will set out how the disruption caused by no-deal will
impact small businesses the most, and set out what the
Government is doing to mitigate the impact of leaving without a
deal.
-
Reiterate his support for the Brexit deal,
which already holds out the prospect of tariff and quota-free
access to the European market, with the flexibility to operate
wholly outside of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and avoid
the disruption of a no deal.
-
Praise the farming initiative Febru-dairy for
highlighting the important work of British livestock and dairy
farmers. He will highlight the importance of high
quality meat, milk and cheese which provides us with the
protein, calcium, vitamins and other minerals for a healthy
diet. The Environment Secretary will commit to defending
British livestock and dairy farmers from activists who would
undermine their work.
-
Highlight the achievements of Minette Batters in her
first year as NFU President. He will commend Ms
Batters for what she has achieved for the farming sector,
including working with the Government on important amendments
to the Agriculture Bill, championing a new Livestock
Information Programme, and helping to initiate a new National
Food Strategy. In particular, he will welcome the NFU’s vision
on the environment and food, which recognises that it is not
the case that one can only be achieved at the expense of the
other.
Environment Secretary will say:
“Already, the Agriculture Bill creates new powers to improve
the functioning of the supply chain, support farmers through
volatile times, safeguard producer organisations and guarantee
new sources of income for future business. And we are in
discussion about how to go further to support sustainable food
production and protect our high standards in a competitive
trading environment.
“We have been clear that we will not lower our standards in
pursuit of trade deals, and that we will use the tools we have at
our disposal - tariffs, quotas and legislation - to make sure
standards are protected and you are not left at a competitive
disadvantage.
“That is why I welcome Minette’s call to establish a
Commission to examine how we can maintain high standards. This is
an idea which has a number of merits and we will be giving it
full consideration.”
