Midland Farmer


EDITORIAL


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Brexit transition is no end to uncertainty


S


o now we know. Brexit won’t be completed by the Article 50 deadline of March 2019 after all. Instead, it will take a further two years – a transitional period during which the UK will con- tinue to pay into the European Union and most EU rules will remain in place. That is if Theresa May gets her way. A prolonged


transition or implementation period might give farm businesses and the UK at large time to adjust to a brave new world outside the EU. But the terms and conditions must be agreed by other member states. If they do agree, the Prime Minister’s transition- al period will take us to March 2021 – almost fi ve years after the June 2016 referendum for the UK to leave the EU. It starkly illustrates the complexi- ty of what once appeared to be a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ question on EU membership. Some of those who voted leave want the UK to


walk away from the EU now – without paying a penny. Others who voted remain still want us to stay. Meanwhile, the rest of the world looks on as our political leaders argue over what form Brex- it should take.


Midland Farmer is a controlled circulation magazine published monthly for farmers and growers in the Midlands (Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire) or companies supplying goods and services to the sector. To be included on the circulation list, a farmer must have a minimum of 70 acres of land, or 50 dairy/beef stock, or 50 breeding sows/250 growing stock, or 15,000 laying hens/broiler chickens. Intensive horticulture units are required to have a minimum of two hectares. Subscription is £18 a year (including postage).


No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers for the opinions expressed by contributors.


© Countrywide Publications 2017


Published by Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon Suffolk IP18 6DH T: 01502 725800 Printed by Micropress (Printers) Ltd, Suffolk. T: 01502 725800


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Should the UK remain a member of the Euro- pean Economic Area? Able to trade freely with the


Contents


EU in return for accepting its rules – including free- dom of movement? Or should we break away com- pletely, revert to World Trade Organisation tariffs and make our own trade deals? Unlike the referendum ballot paper, reality shows us that there is no straightforward answer. But it does show just how closely our fortunes are inter- twined with those of our nearest neighbours – the 27 other EU countries. Whatever the outcome, a satisfactory resolution is vital. Few sectors of the economy will be more affected by Brexit than agriculture. Farming relies heavily on fi nancial support. It also relies heav- ily on overseas labour. Food exports are important too – especially for the cereal and livestock sectors. There are just 18 months left until March 2019.


Farming is a long term business and 18 months is not a long time. Growers and livestock producers are already delaying investment in their business- es because of all the uncertainty. A clear direction cannot come too soon.


Johann Tasker, Editor


OPINION Johann Tasker


Vol 6 • No 5 • October 2017


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23 33


Business | News Livestock Arable


In the field


Profile: The Lost Farm Maize


Crop storage Farm energy


Profile: M&L Dairying Final say


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OCTOBER 2017 • MIDLAND FARMER 3


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