Farmers’ union ultimately wants a deal that enables smoother trade with the UK’s largest trading partner
The NFU has called for the UK to make decisions that support domestic food production and ease trade as negotiations continue with the EU over the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
The farmers’ union is keen for the UK to negotiate appropriate transition periods and certain exemptions to dynamic alignment. This would enable continued progress in specific policy areas and reflect the production practices required to grow food in the UK’s maritime environment, the NFU said.
Specifically, the NFU is asking the UK government to secure a variable paced, transitional arrangement with phased commencement dates for alignment. It explained that this will mean distinguishing between areas where trade barriers could be removed quickly, such as for the imports of key horticultural inputs, and those which require a greater time to adjust, such as rules around plant protection products which have diverged from the EU since Brexit.
It also wants to see some exemptions from dynamic alignment. These include enabling continued access to precision-breeding technologies and the ability to continue the UK’s bovine TB cattle vaccination programme, as well as technical adaptations within EU regulations for mycotoxin contaminants.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “Ultimately, this deal should enable smoother trade with our largest trading partner. Alignment in many areas will help remove friction and unlock trade. But there are some areas which need to be treated carefully to minimise disruption to Britain’s farming sector and some which need to be excluded completely.
“We have given clear direction to the government’s negotiating team on what we believe is needed to benefit British food production and farm businesses. At the centre of this are appropriate transition periods specific to individual policy areas and some necessary exemptions to help safeguard areas of progression and innovation.
“It’s important we get this right, so British farmers aren’t unduly bound by rules which restrict our ambitions for food production. Alongside securing necessary exemptions, it’s vital that the UK has a meaningful role in the rule-shaping process in the future and that the voices of British farmers and growers are represented in future discussions.
“It’s up to the government now to back its farmers around the negotiating table and we’ll continue to work with them as talks progress.”
