Brexit Day: UK industry demands “more than just verbal assurances” for food supply security

31 Jan 2020 --- Four years after a referendum in Britain was passed signaling the UK’s wish to pull out of the EU the official Brexit Day has arrived. To mark the occasion, the UK’s National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has mobilized a coalition of 60 farming, environmental, animal welfare and public health organizations to address Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an open letter on trade and standards. “It is vital that we have more than just verbal assurances to ensure our standards are properly safeguarded,” the letter delcares.

“Brexit means the UK can show leadership in pioneering a new type of global trading system; one that moves away from the narrow and dated focus on ever-cheaper goods, regardless of how they are produced, to one that rises to the challenges of climate change and promotes more sustainable models of production and consumption across the world,” the NFU-led coalition asserts.

The letter notes that there may be differences in opinion on how to achieve this, but it is agreed that change will not happen without the right domestic policy, supported by a progressive and ambitious trade policy. The coalition insists there must be a trade and standards commission in place to enable people to engage on the UK’s trade policy and how it affects standards in the country.

The coalition further calls for the government to enshrine its manifesto commitment not to compromise on high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards, by safeguarding these provisions in the newly introduced Agriculture Bill. Under this new policy, British farmers and landowners in the future will be rewarded with public money for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, higher animal welfare standards, improved access to the countryside or measures to reduce flooding.

“While the liberalization of global trade in recent decades has been successful in growing economies, providing jobs and lowering prices for consumers, it has failed to deal with the negative impacts of such growth – most evident today in the challenges of climate change, loss of biodiversity and concerns over the welfare of the farm animals we rear,” the letter emphasizes.

“With the enactment of the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill and our formal departure from the EU looming near, we believe these measures must be pursued as a priority,” state the industry representatives. The coalition has called for a meeting with the Prime Minister to further discuss how these listed objectives can be met.

EU agri-food stakeholders have openly endorsed a Brexit deal that includes a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).Putting consumers first
Last year, UK stockpiling was at a record spike. Coca-Cola, alongside many businesses, has already committed to extending its inventory in preparations for Brexit. The impact of shortages following Breixt on the cost of consumer goods has been a long standing concern.

“Even though the UK is leaving the EU, consumers can rest assured that they will still find the same products at the same great prices, both online and in stores, throughout the 2020 transition period,” contends Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium. “What happens after will depend on the numerous trade negotiations that the UK will now be engaging in and we look forward to the opportunities that new trade deals may have for consumers around the world.”

“Most important among all the government’s negotiations is the need for a comprehensive trade deal with the EU. We need a UK-EU deal which puts consumers first: one that continues zero-tariff trade and minimizes any new barriers to trade. Without these, it will be the public who will face higher costs and reduced choice on the shelves. A pragmatic approach is essential if we are to ensure the Northern Ireland protocol is workable from next January, without damaging trade between Northern Ireland and its neighbors to the East and South,” she adds.

Meanwhile, the EU agri-food chain – which involves organizations such Copa-Cogeca, CELCAA and FoodDrinkEurope – has openly endorsed a Brexit deal that includes a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with zero tariffs and quantitative restrictions between the EU and the UK.

The organizations point out that in 2017, EU27 agri-food exports to the UK amounted to €41 billion (US$45 billion) while UK exports to the EU reached €17 billion (US$19 billion). This trade, and the businesses behind it, employ 44 million people across the EU Member States, reflecting the degree of integration and complexity of the food supply chain.

“Despite the welcomed commitment to maintaining customs and regulatory convergence in future, we will not be able to replicate the advantages of the EU Customs Union and Single Market through an FTA. However, we hope to find a solution that is as close as possible to the current customs and regulatory agreement,” the agri-food associations affirm.

“On behalf of the European agri-food chain, we will continue to promote a comprehensive and deep FTA between the EU and UK, following the UK’s departure from the EU,” conclude the organizations.

By Benjamin Ferrer