NO Deal Brexit Reckless in the Extreme
6th March 2019
Region: National
Fairness for Farmers in Europe have issued the following press release of their agreed statement on the strong possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a deal. This statement has been delivered to Michael Gove MP, Andrea Leadsom MP, Theresa May PM, Neil Parish MP, Sir Vince Cable MP, Sir Kier Starmer MP and Anna Soubry MP with copies sent to the Irish Government, the Isle of Man Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, Council of Ministers President Donald Tusk, European Parliament President Antonio Tajani along with FFE members copying in their MEP’s and politicians where appropriate.
The statement:-
Fairness for Farmers in Europe (FFE) on behalf of all the family farmer members they represent across these islands, north, south, east and west, must make clear to the UK Government that it would be reckless in the extreme with the impact horrendous for agriculture and food if the UK were to crash out of the EU with no deal on 29th March.
The beef industry, to give one example across these islands is already being devastated due to uncertainty currently with price losses at the farm gate of 10%+, not to mention the add on costs to consumers from the 29th of March. A no deal on 29th March would by way of UK and EU Customs and Excise administration costs, consequential transport waiting times and WTO tariffs where applicable on lamb, milk, milk products, chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, fruit and other at the UK Northern Irish border with the EU / Southern Ireland Border, UK Dover border point with Calais French EU border and all other food importing / exporting points around and in the UK. For the sake of commonsense we ask you to draw back from the brink – ask for more time to achieve a successful outcome if a deal cannot be reached by 29th March.
FFE is an open door federation of farm organisations across GB, the Isle of Man, Ireland north and south, with the following members supporting this statement after their recent meeting in England.
Family Farmers Association
Farmers For Action
Farmers Union of Wales
Irish Creamery & Milk Suppliers Association
Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association
Manx NFU
National Beef Association
Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association
