Defra’s farming minister in charge of Brexit scenario planning has claimed the UK farmers’ unions have overestimated the contingency budget needed to support the sheep sector in the event of a no-deal outcome.
Speaking on an arable farm in Aberdeenshire after touring Peterhead Fish Market, Richard Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said he had seen NFU figures which indicated a fund of £150 million would be required if sheep meat exports were no longer competitive , but added: “ I think our estimate is slightly less.”
He also insisted that Defra now has enough legislation in place for the EU to recognise the UK as a third country and allow exports of commodities to take place if the UK crashes out of Europe without a deal.
“We are ready for a no-deal Brexit,” he said.
“The exception is seed potatoes. We’ve missed this season, so we have legislation we’re bringing forward next week or soon after to ensure the smooth export of seed potatoes.
“However, the way of avoiding all this uncertainty and all these problems is to vote through the deal and, unfortunately, the SNP and Labour Party have not seen fit to support that.”
He went on to criticise the Scottish Government for choosing not to take powers in Westminster’s Agriculture Bill and was dismissive of what he said was a “lack of policy”.
“Scotland need to get their act together and start to deliver on the progress we’re making in England,” he said.
Mr Goodwill was at pains to emphasise his farming credentials and said he used to drive a lorry to Montrose for seed potatoes which he planted for McCain Foods in his constituency.
He added that the issues faced by Scottish sheep farmers were identical to those faced by some in his constituency, which contains two-thirds of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park .
NFU Scotland vice-president, Charlie Adam, who met Mr Goodwill along with other union officials, said: “He exhibited an understanding of agriculture but we had to emphasise the differences between Scottish and English farming.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
