July 11, 2016

UK agri levy board puts out series on post-Brexit scenarios

What could trade with the EU look like post-Brexit?

The UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has released the first in a series of articles looking at the potential implications for the industry of the UK's decision to leave the EU.

The first article in the new "Horizon" series examines five possible trading relationships between the UK and the EU post-Brexit.

It also looks to existing trade arrangements for countries outside of the EU and outlines the pros and cons of each.

Subsequent analytic pieces will deal with topics such as trade with non-EU countries, labour and subsidies, to provide AHDB levy payers with independent resources on key questions raised by the referendum result.

Once Article 50(which provides for any member state to withdraw from the EU) is triggered and negotiations start, AHDB said its Market Intelligence team will provide updated analysis, as and when information emerges from the process.

David Swales, head of AHDB's Strategic Insight, said: "There is a huge thirst for knowledge out there as we stand on the brink of a new era for UK agriculture. Obviously at this stage we can't give any definitive answers but we can paint a picture of what the future may look like for our levy payers".

AHDB is a statutory levy board, funded by farmers, growers and others in the supply chain. A non-departmental public body, it supports these industries: meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; and cereals and oilseeds in the UK.