'We will sell more abroad' Gove trumpets global opportunities for UK farmers post Brexit
MICHAEL GOVE highlighted major opportunities for UK farmers post Brexit as Britain seeks to trade with countries across the globe.
Michael Gove trumpets opportunities for UK farmers post Brexit
The Environment Minister said the UK’s exit from the European Union would mean taking back control of the sector and making the best of what Britain has to offer.
Visiting the Royal Norfolk show, Mr Gove said he would be working on a correct subsidy system for farmers.
Michael Gove told Norfolk Now: “Farmers recognise that as we leave the European Union, there are opportunities because of the high produce that the United Kingdom is famous for.
“There is an opportunity to sell more abroad, but we also need to make sure as we do sell more abroad that we do not compromise high environmental or animal welfare standards.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said UK farmers would profit from Brexit
Farmers recognise that as we leave the European Union, there are opportunities
“Subsidises, if it's applied in the wrong way, can actually make farmers less productive.
“So because some other countries have subsidy systems, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re as productive as we can be.
“So it’s about getting support right, designing the system in the right way.”
A parliamentary report last month concluded Brexit provides British farmers and the food industry with a major opportunity.
The House of Lords European Union Committee has hailed the end of the “one size fits all” approach of the much derided Common Agricultural Policy with the end of Brussels rule.
The “Brexit: agriculture” report also notes that agriculture provides Britain with an important negotiating tool for free trade agreements with the EU and other countries because it is “a net importer” of food stuffs.
However, the committee has called for transitional arrangements to allow a more smooth transition for Brexit and asked for agriculture to have preferential treatment with work visas for EU citizens to fill the immediate need for labour.