Evidence session hears calls to back Chequers deal as ‘no deal’ Brexit presents worst case scenario

NFU Scotland has used an evidence session with Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Select Committee to urge all politicians to get behind the Chequers Brexit proposals.

Speaking at the evidence session in Glasgow today (10 September), Director of Policy Jonnie Hall said the Chequers agreement in July was closest to the Union’s preferred trade option with the EU of a single market and customs union, while a ‘no deal’ Brexit would be a disaster as far as Scotland’s farmers and crofters were concerned.

Mr Hall told the committee of Scottish MPs that: “Post-Brexit access to trade remains a fundamental issue for Scottish farmers and crofters.  We want to be as close as possible to the single market and customs union to secure frictionless, un-fettered access to the EU while retaining the ability to develop new markets.  Our greatest fear is a WTO default and ‘no deal’ scenario.

“Internal UK markets are the most significant outlet for our produce, but we have a requirement to sell beyond Scotland and the UK.  Trade is a two-way street and the UK remains a significant market for other Member States, especially the Irish.  At the end of the day, a pragmatic agreement on trade must win out.  

“It is important that politicians of all parties put their shoulder to wheel and secure something as close to Chequers agreement as possible.  If we step away from that, it will be detrimental to UK and Scotland.”

Commenting on any standards attached to trade deals, Mr Hall added: “We need to continue to produce to the highest standards, so consumers continue to have the utmost confidence in what we do.  Scottish agriculture will never be in the game of ‘stack it high and sell it low.’ Such an approach would have huge implications for our red meat sector in particular, so we need to protect what we do and how we do it in any trade deals.

“Any race to the bottom that sees us negotiate away our unique selling point on quality would be a disaster.  Farmers have worked hard at the standards to which we now operate which gives us access to markets, credibility and provenance.  Negotiating new deals, particularly away from the EU, must be done on quality rather than quantity.

Looking ahead, Mr Hall said: “The lack of confidence and uncertainty at farm level is starting to undermine business planning.  Clear signals are in short supply on what the future might hold, especially support funding levels beyond 2022 and the devolved delivery of future agricultural policy and support in Scotland.”  

Notes to Editors

• Today’s evidence session in Glasgow with the Scottish Affairs Committee is available to watch again at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8zTQ679VS0

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006