NSA reaction to Prime Minister's announcement on UK membership of single market
17th January 2017
Joanne Briggs of the NSA says: “NSA is disappointed by the announcement made by the Prime Minister today. Up to 40% of UK sheep meat is exported every year, mostly into the EU, so the Government is taking away our biggest export market with no clear plan for how to replace it. This is at the same time as future farm support payments are far from guaranteed. Establishing the UK as a free trade area also opens us up to imports from other countries, which is a huge concern. NSA feels the wider implications have not been considered, as the economic viability of sheep farms also brings a wide range of public goods, including animal welfare, environment management, wildlife biodiversity and rural employment. If you take away the end market, you risk the whole structure. We know we produce a world class product, but the decision made today does not come with the planning, transition periods or resources that are essential to establish new trade deals with the countries that want to buy our lamb.”
Click here to read the full NSA statement made in advance of Theresa May's speech today.
