Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset, has asked DEFRA Minister George Eustice for assurances that food and farming are top priorities for the Government during Brexit negotiations.
Following his quarterly meeting with South Dorset farmers, Drax wrote to the Minister listing their concerns. High on the list was the need for certainty over highly skilled EU staff, many of whom must be secured for employment at least nine months in advance. Drax also listed farmers’ concerns over the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the re-licensing of Glyphosate weed killer, the effects of the avian influenza scare on free range status for chickens, further moves on TB culling and problems with the Countryside Stewardship scheme.
Drax was also able to question the Minister during an European Scrutiny Select Committee hearing this week, where Mr Eustice was invited to give evidence on DEFRA plans for farming and fishing post Brexit.
On the matter of EU farm workers, the Minister replied that licensing would definitely continue. On funding, he said that the Government would first decide on what our farmers needed, then finance it.
In answer to questions, Mr Eustice also said that post Brexit, he expected the 200 mile fishing limit to be reinstated and that incursions from either side would be subject to negotiations. Quotas would also be decided by the UK, not her European neighbours.
“Food and farming are of paramount importance to this country,” says Drax. “Of the £6 billion a year we currently pay to the EU, we must earmark a considerable sum for our farming industry post Brexit. The farmers know what they need. As I wrote to the Minister, “They rightly seek assurances, and I seek yours, that the Government has put food as a top priority during the Brexit negotiations.””