The NFU has warned the Government to be mindful of the impact of free trade agreements with global agricultural powerhouses on UK farmers, as it seeks views ahead of trade talks with Canada and Mexico.
NFU chief EU exit and international trade adviser Gail Soutar said that both markets offer opportunities for UK farmers to export their high-quality produce, with Canada already an important market for UK dairy producers.
“Canada and Mexico are also among the 10 largest agricultural exporters in the world, sitting alongside the likes of Brazil, the USA and Australia,” Ms Soutar pointed commented .
“The government must therefore be particularly mindful of the cumulative impact negotiating free trade agreements with these global agricultural powerhouses will have on our farmers here in the UK. This is particularly relevant given reports that Australian exporters will be offered tariff-free, quota-free access to the UK market, putting severe pressure on domestic producers.”