Sheep sector at huge risk from ‘hard Brexit’ stance taken by PM
- Thread starter llamedos
- Start date
- Location
- Welshpool Powys
Yes I agree improve and adapt is the only way forward
At first glance I though you were bringing a bit of light relief to the debate - an episode of Dads Army.
Adam@Rumen
Member
- Location
- Nantwich/Rishton
Interesting graph.
Would be interesting to know as a % of UK GDP what the UK exports to the EU, and as a % of EU GDP what the EU exports to the UK?
Couldn't agree more.During the F&M disaster exports ceased overnight and the price of sheep halved immediately.Theres no need for that to happen due to Brexit.Theres plenty time to get some kind of deal to allow exports to continue uninterrupted,even if it is on less favourable terms.The "cliff edge" scenario can be avoided.I must say, though,that Mrs May needs to be very careful not to cross the line between assertive and aggressive,because an aggressive response from the EU would be catastrophic for the sheep industry in the short term.I really like Boris,but he is like nitro glycerine and,in the national interest,should be kept under lock and key for the time being.
I remember during foot and mouth putting 300 x 45kg Suffolk lambs on a wagon for machin in Yorkshire, he gave me £26 for them and £7 for some very fit ewes then sent me a bill for disinfecting his wagon. All these brexit fans have very short memories if we can't get alternative markets in place before we leave Europe it could be brutal. There will be no loyalty to farmers from meat buyers or the government just as framers would have no sympathy for fert or tractor manufacturers for example if the price collapsed.
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
And how we, as a nation, have exported our car industry, our shoe industry and our soft fruit industry perhaps?
My post is not really in keeping with the thread but I feel must reply to the comment UK has exported the car industry. That is very much not the case. UK now manufacturers more cars than ever - and exports the majority - mostly into the EU. The EU car industry comprises component manufacturing and assembly sites located strategically throughout an EU - the likes of Nissan and Toyata never planned for a non EU WTO tariff terms Britain. It is maybe more essential for the UK economy to protect the car industry than sheepmeat.
And while about it as an aside half immigration is and was non EU yet all I see is that leaving EU will return control of border and end to inward immigration.
Anyway all will unfold - and sorry for interfering with a livestock thread and the original post.
Much of our livestock processing is undertaken by foreign workers,so your post is integral to the substance of this thread.My opinion is that this work will still be done by foreign labour,but the UK government will have some control over how many,from where,and for how long they stay for.I say "some control" because market forces have a role to play and trade deals with other countries might force UK governments hand as to how many visas are granted and the terms of those visas.Eg,we might find the processing lines are staffed by Indians on three year work permits.
easyram1
Member
- Location
- North Shropshire
My impression is that most threads actually revolve around the merits of different breeds and very quickly revert to discussions about the virtues or otherwise of wool shedding. With the notable exception of the excellent thread started by Willy last year who explained both why and how he changed his whole sheep system I really cannot recall too much discussion about how for example we can all prosper or at least survive with lamb at say £50/hd and even considering such a possibility does not mean that I wish to be put by others into the "We are doomed" camp alongside your good self Neil - some hope!.
romneymarsh
Member
- Location
- Romney Marsh
Here's the thing
No one knows how this is going to pan out
They , the guys in Government might sort it out they might not.
As individual sheep farming business we have zero control of what happens around the negotiating table . I'll go further and say even our sharpest lobbying organisations will not have much input.
Even then we as producers are reliant on the relatively few exporting processors who we can only hope take a punt on the new trading environment in the search for profit. The French , it's clear will be fiercely protective of their remaining sheep sector and tariffs aside it will be administrative controls that will from time to time arise that will deter our exporters .
What we can do, is look at our businesses and get them as fit as possible to encounter the enivitable volatility that will come. For some that will mean a farm sale flock dispersal.
It's going to be very different. For some, 20 years down the road it will probably be ok .., maybe
No one knows how this is going to pan out
They , the guys in Government might sort it out they might not.
As individual sheep farming business we have zero control of what happens around the negotiating table . I'll go further and say even our sharpest lobbying organisations will not have much input.
Even then we as producers are reliant on the relatively few exporting processors who we can only hope take a punt on the new trading environment in the search for profit. The French , it's clear will be fiercely protective of their remaining sheep sector and tariffs aside it will be administrative controls that will from time to time arise that will deter our exporters .
What we can do, is look at our businesses and get them as fit as possible to encounter the enivitable volatility that will come. For some that will mean a farm sale flock dispersal.
It's going to be very different. For some, 20 years down the road it will probably be ok .., maybe
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- Location
- Dumfries & Galloway
That maybe the percentage of farmers but if you take in to account all those that survive of the back of farming it is far more than that, I think I may be right in saying that the "wider" industry is one of the biggest in the UK if not the biggest
No farmers No future
romneymarsh
Member
- Location
- Romney Marsh
Hold on to that thought
As is often the case comparison to the example of a free trade nation , rural NZ is a pretty desolate place . Lots of rusty fridges and cars in the garden sort of thing Some of it's not that pretty imo. If you get my drift?
you may be right time will tell
is scrap not worth anything out there then ?
Course we did! We're going to have a bonfire of movement books and medicine record books.
Y Fan Wen
Member
- Location
- N W Snowdonia
I can keep british agriculture in an iron fist of control without spending a penny. In fact I could charge you for it, like DT is going to charge the Mexicans.
I would introduce a farming licence which is like a driving licence. You would have to do exams to get it, and pay for the lessons and test just like spraying. My inspectors would visit you repeatedly, and charge for their visits. DEFRA would be self financing like VOSA so it is in the inspectors interest to find misdemeanors. If they find anything wrong they suspend your licence which means there won't be any buyers for your output. Buyers won't be able to buy from unlicensed businesses. I'm toying with increasing the scope of SMR's which means I could take you to court and get you fined, with costs, of course.
I'm glad to say I'm 70 this year with no successor so I will be well out of it.
- Location
- Northumberland
That is often what i think of some posters on here,but it does not help the debate much!
- Location
- Northumberland
Ian Potter often writes that claptrap.And there are some people who fall into all of the categories,at some times,and do well,but are just LUCKY.
- Location
- Northumberland
Thats the job sorted then! We will all double up numbers,and produce twice as many for half the price. (the race to the bottom)