Making sure that the UK’s post-Brexit trading routes remain open for meat exports and animal feed imports is going to be a “huge challenge” for everyone involved in the coming UK/EU negotiations says the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).
“Will UK abattoirs be accepted as automatically meeting EU requirements for meat being exported,” asked CAAV’s secretary and adviser, Jeremy Moody, adding that there will also be questions to address concerning how long will it take to get a consignment through customs and on what procedures.
The same would be true for imports, he commented, whether that’s for livestock feed or food more generally, with much need for clarification on both fronts.
Warning that, with around 70% of the UK’s agricultural exports going to the EU, the outcome of trade negotiations will affect agricultural values and profitability more than other sectors, Mr Moody (pictured above) said that CAAV believed the post-Brexit rules and practicalities surrounding trade will matter even more than tariffs, especially for agriculture.
“If the UK is outside the EU customs union, one key issue will be the mutual recognition of standards alongside the practicality of customs controls,” he said.
“The Government has a lot to handle carefully in the coming months and years.”