You will receive an email from our administration office with your login details.
This is for those who are already NFUS members and who want to register to access the members only areas of this site. If you are not currently a member of NFU Scotland, click here for details of how you can join.
Please provide a valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. This will include certain news items or notifications from NFU Scotland. This email address is not made public and will be used if you wish to receive a new password. If you do not wish to receive news items or notifications from NFU Scotland please contact us.
Please re-type your e-mail address to confirm it is accurate.
Forgotten your details? Click here.
Livestock representatives from the UK Farming Unions and the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have met in Belfast to discuss Brexit and the trade implications for the livestock sector. The organisations agreed it is essential that free trade is maintained between the United Kingdom and the European Union post-Brexit. This must include securing a soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (ROI).Speaking after the Belfast meeting, NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee Chairman Charlie Adam said: “The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has brought into focus many issues for the cattle and sheep sector in the UK and ROI. Our countries have strong trade links for both livestock and red meat products and it will be essential we have a free trade agreement in order to secure a healthy future for these vulnerable sectors.”Existing trade links between the UK and ROI are well established and play a vital role in each economy. Mr Adam said politicians must take this into consideration during Brexit negotiations. “Nearly 40 per cent of the UK’s beef exports go to ROI while 50 per cent of Irish beef exports are marketed in the UK. In terms of sheep, the fact that over 40 per cent of Northern Ireland’s lambs are processed in the Republic of Ireland and 90 per cent of the UK’s lamb exports are destined for the European market show that there is a lot hanging on achieving a progressive free trade arrangement.”The Unions agree that to achieve favourable trading conditions between the UK and EU post-Brexit, there must be equivalent standards for agricultural practices and processing. “The existing standards that are in place will give us a solid foundation to work from and help ease the negotiating process. The UK and Irish farming unions are committed to finding practical solutions that allow for the harmonious trade of livestock and red meat products between the UK and the EU to continue post-Brexit,” said Mr Adam.NFU Scotland’s Livestock Policy Manager John Armour, who also attended the meeting added: “In securing the future of established trade links, politicians must ensure that the UK does not enter in to free trade agreements with third countries which produce beef and lamb to low standards. The integrity of the current market must be protected.”EndsContact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006
Author: Bob Carruth
Date Published: 23/05/2017
News Article No.: 73/17
Comment ID:
Type:
Article ID:
User ID:
Good or Bad:
Comment Content:
Why it offends me (optional):
No-one has commented on this article yet. Be the first to have your say...
Share
A dairy farmer’s son, I joined NFU Scotland in 1999 after 13 years as an agricultural journalist. Following spells as a regional manager and policy lead on milk, livestock and animal health and welfare, I became Communications Director in 2008.
©NFU Scotland • All Rights Reserved • Web design by Big Red Digital • Log in
Contact
Your email was successfully sent! We'll get back to you shortly.
No Robots:
This form collects and sends the information supplied to NFU Scotland. You can read our privacy policy for full details on how we protect and manage your data. I consent to having NFU Scotland collect the above details.