Brexit means cheap food imports, says Farage

Robigus

Member
http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/brexit-means-cheap-food-imports-says-nigel-farage.htm

Farmers Weekly

Brexit means cheap food imports, says Farage
Johann Tasker
Monday 19 September 2016 16:00
190916-nigel-farage-c-Tom-Nicholson-LNP-REX-Shutterstock-rexfeatures_5899133h-615x346.jpg

© Tom Nicholson/LNP/REX/Shutterstock

Food imports will be cheaper once the UK leaves the EU, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has claimed.

In a comment likely to anger and alarm many farmers, Mr Farage said cheaper food imports were just one benefit from leaving the EU.

Mr Farage made the comments as he sparred with Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron during BBC One’sThe Andrew Marr Show on Sunday (19 September).

See also: Farmgate prices will need to fall heavily without Brexit deal

Mr Farage said: “Everything will get much cheaper – absolutely.

“We will open ourselves up to the world – we can get rid of the common external tariff – and buy cheaper food.”

‘Cheaper butter’
He added: “Don’t you remember years ago – cheaper butter, lamb from New Zealand? There are lots of opportunities.”

We will open ourselves up to the world – we can get rid of the common external tariff – and buy cheaper food Nigel Farage, former Ukip leader

Mr Farron had earlier said that prices on UK shop shelves would be an issue of “vast significance” outside the EU.

The Lib Dem leader has also suggested many farmers would go bust unless the government maintains direct payments post-Brexit.

Mr Farron has launched a “Not A Penny Less” campaign calling on the government to commit to replacing EU funding beyond 2020.

But government data suggests the plunge in sterling after the Brexit vote gave an immediate helpful nudge to trade in British meat.

‘Imports dropped’
In July, the first full month after the 23 June’s referendum, UK beef imports dropped sharply, at the same time as exports grew.

HMRC data shows Britain bought 19,500t of foreign beef – 17% less on the year. Shipments from the main supplier, Ireland, fell by a fifth.

On the import side, 14% less sheepmeat came into the country during July – largely driven by a drop-off from New Zealand.

But the AHDB said this was unlikely to be linked to currency movements, as it took a long time for shipments to arrive from the southern hemisphere.
 

turbo

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
lincs
Why all the surprise at the comments he made,they (the brexit lot) told you enough times during the campaign that cheaper food was the goal of leaving the eu!remember the £2000 saving from the shopping bill if we left well you didn't think tesco was going to give it to them so it's us farmers again that will take the beating and the best bit about it a good lot of farmers took their pants down and took it for the team.
 
Location
Devon
Food imports will only be cheaper if the exchange rate goes the other way from what it is currently and that is unlikely for several years.

How long does it take for a boatload of lamb to get from NZ to the UK these days?? ( someone told me 3 weeks but not sure if that's correct or not )

If imports are cheaper then that should include inputs like fert/ fuel/ machinery parts etc etc.

Also the likes of the AHDB need to stop spending levy payers money on promoting imported meat and start making/ marketing UK meat/milk etc as a brand in the home market.
 

Henarar

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Somerset
Thank goodness farage is not in charge, it was always on the cards that the gov would import anything from anywhere, if they have the sense to see that it would be stupid to do this remains to be seen
 

S J H

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Bedfordshire
Food imports will only be cheaper if the exchange rate goes the other way from what it is currently and that is unlikely for several years.

How long does it take for a boatload of lamb to get from NZ to the UK these days?? ( someone told me 3 weeks but not sure if that's correct or not )

If imports are cheaper then that should include inputs like fert/ fuel/ machinery parts etc etc.

Also the likes of the AHDB need to stop spending levy payers money on promoting imported meat and start making/ marketing UK meat/milk etc as a brand in the home market.

Probably nearer 4 weeks, there's no reason why we can't produce lamb as cheap as NZ IMO.

Maybe we expect to make too much money from farming? The chap I worked for in NZ owned 2000 acres and drove a ford mondeo. It would have to be a Range Rover if he was British.
 

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