The Prime Minister’s decision to remain in the Single Market until 2021 will provide important stability for farm businesses, the NFU has said following Theresa May’s Brexit speech in Florence.
The farmers’ body said the two-year implementation period, announced by Theresa May on 22 September, prepares the ground for both sides to make progress in Brexit negotiations.
However, NFU president Meurig Raymond stressed that more details were needed to give farmers and growers the certainty to plan and invest for the future.
“The implementation period that the Prime Minister spoke of will be crucial if we are to reach a Brexit settlement that backs British farming, although we await further details on exactly how such a transition will work,” Raymond said.
“We believe at least two years is needed to ensure a smooth Brexit, while also agreeing a future relationship between the EU and UK which recognises their mutual importance in terms of trade.”
“Any agreement should maintain as far as practicable the free flow of agri-food products between the EU and UK, and following today’s speech this remains a realistic prospect, although much now depends on proper progress being made in the negotiations.”
Raymond added that the NFU was “pleased to hear” there was no intention to impose tariffs where none currently exist, and that it was “very interested” to hear May’s commitment to maintain free movement until 2021, with plans to use a registration system for new arrivals.
However,he stressed that the industry “desperately needs more detail on how the immigration system will work both during and after the transition”.
“Vague pledges and offers are not enough if potential workers are to be reassured that they can legally take up the jobs on offer,” Raymond said.
