Sheep sector at huge risk from ‘hard Brexit’ stance taken by PM

[Yale]

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.

Bring it on,it would cull the ones not fit to do the job and leave competent ones,however they would have to pay for more expensive food as if I have to go to all that bother I would do it in another industry which values my commitment and has remuneration to match.

A good example is truck drivers,since bringing in the driver CPC it is harder to employ one and more costly.

 

[Only]

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.

ouch

 

[bobk]

As long as we have a competitive exchange rate there will always be demand for UK produce .

 

[Nithsdale]

As long as we have a competitive exchange rate there will always be demand for UK produce .

Which is why it is imperative the EU does not fail. We NEED a strong EURO to trade with!

 

[bobk]

Which is why it is imperative the EU does not fail. We NEED a strong EURO to trade with!

Could possibly be easier without the EU

 

[2tractors]

My thinking on the future is very cloudy at the moment as there are so many what ifs
What market access will our civil servants negotiate for agriculture?
What level of public funding be found for UK agriculture from 2020? How will it be structered?
How will sterling react to the final deal ( which won't emerge until late 2019)?

The worst scenario would be world trade tarrifs and no subsidies, say lambs were £50 ( Global Ovines $100 20kg lamb price) most producers would break even at best, many would be loss making. However the costs of producing lambs would change, rents would fall if tenants started quitting, other inputs would fall, why is Toxovax £4.50 but under £1 in NZ- because it's priced to the customers ability to pay.

My conclusion is the whole system will reset, quite to what is unclear, but there will a future, meanwhile use the next 3 years of guarrented subs to review every aspect of your operation, taking out cost and improving performance to give your business the best chance of coping with the change.

 

[Nithsdale]

Could possibly be easier without the EU

Europe will be a pretty desolate place if the EU, and EURO, fails.

 

[Kevtherev]

Not only farm gate prices will suffer it's the Allied industries connected to Agriculture that will also suffer.
If you look at the bigger picture what agriculture contributes to the economy locally and wider it's massive.

 

[ollie989898]

And how we, as a nation, have exported our car industry, our shoe industry and our soft fruit industry perhaps?

Ehhh?

Has the UK ever made Audis or BMWs?

 

[new/man]

The NFU have an impossible task and are doomed to failure . They cannot possibly serve the entire breath of membership when in reality, and if anyone is to make an honest appraisal, a significant percentage of us farmers will have to leave the industry either willingly or painfully . This happened in NZ no one ever interviews those that had to leave only those that survived and have subsequently prospered. There is a human cost to be paid here just as with the miners , ship builders whatever . It's our turn now. Walk along a street anywhere and no one really cares whether there are farmers or not while the tummies are full and the supermarkets will source it from somewhere.

I have always been an optimist but I confess I am struggling at the moment.

Just saying

What he said.........

 

[Only]

Lamb price lower now than 12 moths ago on a much more favourable currency
Retail sales lower than 12 moths ago for lamb
We haven't left our main market yet yikes