CLA responds to food and farming trade proposals in the Brexit White Paper

CLA - Country Land and Business Association Limited logo

The Government has published a White Paper on the future relationship between the UK and the EU confirming the UK will maintain a "common rulebook" for all goods traded with the EU, including agricultural products.

CLA Director of Policy and Advice Christopher Price said: “Since the referendum the CLA has called for frictionless trade and movement of goods across EU borders, so we are pleased the Government has recognised the importance of this for agricultural products. The UK’s future trading relationship with the EU must avoid damaging disruption to supply chains.

“We want to see exports for UK food outside the EU grow, and we think that increasing free and fair trade between the UK and other markets outside the EU is a positive government ambition. We will support any new free trade deals which meet that ambition, doing whatever we can to play a constructive role in supporting the UK Government to secure the best possible deal for the UK food industry and UK consumers.

“The Government’s commitment to increase agricultural productivity and deliver improved environmental outcomes is good news for the industry and we look forward to continuing to work with ministers and officials to achieve these objectives in practice.

“We will look closely at all of the details proposed in the White Paper to ensure they work for the food and farming industry.”