Leadsom’s lack of farm Brexit plan under scrutiny

The government’s Brexit plan for agriculture – and the lack of it – will come under scrutiny at this week’s NFU annual conference in Birmingham.

Some 1,400 farmers and industry leaders are expected to attend the two-day event, due to be held at the Birmingham International Convention Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday (21-22 February).

Keynote speakers include Defra secretary Andrea Leadsom, who is due to address delegates on the first day of the conference.

See also: Farmers need time to adjust to life after Brexit – NFU

Weeks have passed since Mrs Leadsom announced plans for a consultation on the future of farming as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

Mrs Leadsom revealed in early January her department was preparing to publish two consultation papers: one on agriculture and one on the environment.

But almost seven weeks later, there is still no sight of either consultation document.

As a high profile farming event, the NFU conference would be an ideal place to launch a consultation on the future for the agricultural industry post-Brexit.

This year’s conference theme is titled Brexit: Ingredients for success.

Transitional period

Earlier this month, NFU deputy president Minette Batters said a transitional period of up to 10 years would be vital for farmers to adjust to life after the EU.

This included the continuation of some form of direct payments, currently paid to UK farmers from Brussels under the CAP, she said.

Single market

Failure to secure full and unfettered access to the single market after Brexit could be disastrous for UK agricultural sectors such the sheep industry, Ms Batters has warned.

Defra minister George Eustice, who is also due to address the conference, has previously pledged to maintain farm support at current levels – but only to 2020.

The NFU conference programme includes sessions looking at post-Brexit trade and access to overseas markets – in the rest of Europe as well as further afield.

Speakers include UK agriculture and food counsellor Karen Morgan, who is helping to open up food and farming export markets in China.