Farmers have criticised the UK Government’s determination to leave the EU customs union.
Reports over the weekend suggested the prime minister could soften her Brexit position and accept continued membership to help resolve the Northern Ireland border conundrum and avoid a series of embarrassing parliamentary defeats on the issue.
But Downing Street yesterday moved to quash the suggestions.
Brexiteers want to see the UK outside any customs union, despite Brussels rejecting that as unworkable when it comes to avoiding a hard border for Northern Ireland.
National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland chief executive Scott Walker said he was disappointed the government had again ruled out customs union membership “without setting out an alternative or recognising what this will mean for food and farming in the UK”.
Mr Walker said the current trade agreements the EU has with the rest of the world through the customs union already allowed “frictionless free trade with Europe” as well as maintaining high food standards, which he said could be at risk through trade deals with America, Australia or New Zealand.
“Farming in this country must not be sold out for an ideological view,” he said. “While today’s statement wasn’t a surprise, it was an opportunity for the UK Government to take a more proactive approach in recognition of its ongoing consultation with industry – they have chosen not to do so.
“We remain adamant that any Brexit outcome that results in the UK importing cheaper food would be hugely damaging to the farming, food and drinks sectors of Scotland and the UK.
“Sucking in food imports also means exporting jobs and incomes in the domestic farming and food supply chain, as well as animal welfare and environmental responsibilities beyond our shores.”
Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray, speaking for the People’s Vote campaign, said it was clear leaving the customs union could seriously harm farmers’ livelihoods
“Farmers and agricultural businesses are almost unanimous in their opposition to this Government’s madcap insistence on quitting the customs union,” he said.
“They know it will do huge damage to their industry and could permanently decimate the UK’s world-leading agricultural sector.
“The Brexit promised to farmers did not involve their livelihoods being decimated in order to pursue an ideological agenda.”