NFU urges Chancellor to act now to revise no-deal applied tariffs
The UK farming unions have joined the NFU in writing to Chancellor Philip Hammond warning that the recent UK applied tariff policy announcement is another example of how British farming will be damaged by a no-deal Brexit.
The letter reaffirms the farming unions’ position of being absolutely committed to avoiding a disorderly exit from the EU.
NFU President Minette Batters said:
“The government’s recent no-deal applied tariff policy announcement confirms our view that to leave the EU without a deal in place would be catastrophic for UK farming.
“While we acknowledge that the tariff policy announced earlier this month is intended to be temporary and would be in direct response to an undesirable situation facing the country, we have very significant concerns about the damage this policy would cause to farmers across the country. Without the maintenance of tariff protections we would be in danger of opening up the UK to imported food which would be illegal to be produced here, produced at a lower cost because it may fail to meet the environmental and animal welfare standards which are legally required of our own farmers.
“Under the no-deal tariff policy even those sectors that are treated sensitively by our government will, in most instances, see worrying and large reductions in the tariff rates currently charged on non-EU imports. Tariffs currently in place by virtue of EU membership on almost all agricultural products deemed to be sensitive by the UK will be slashed, including those on beef, poultry meat, cheddar, butter, sugar and pork."
Read more on the NFU Website...