The Ulster Farmers Union says its series of meetings on Brexit, which begin next week, are an opportunity for farmers to engage in the most significant debate in a generation.
UFU president Barclay Bell who will host the meetings, said it is important that members contribute to the position the UFU will adopt in its discussions with politicians here and in London.
“These will not be easy negotiations – but it’s important we are able to enter them with the strength of farmer opinion on our side. Then we can say, with no doubts, exactly what farmers in Northern Ireland expect after Brexit,” said Mr Bell.
Key issues include trade, support and the challenge of maintaining the traditional cross border trade in farm products. “None are easy issues, but they are vital for farmers. The negotiations will be challenging, but we need to know what our members expect Brexit to deliver.
“We will use the meetings to set out the position at this stage, as we understand it. But, above all, they are an opportunity for our members to debate issues that will have a fundamental impact on their businesses, across all enterprises, in the years after the UK leaves the EU in 2019,” said the UFU president.
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The dates for UFU ‘Future of Farming’ meetings are: Monday, 24th October, Armagh City Hotel; Tuesday, 25th October, La Mon Hotel; Thursday, 27th October, Roe Park Resort; Tuesday, 1st November, Tullyglass Hotel; Wednesday, 2nd November, The Silverbirch Hotel; and Thursday, 3rd November, Killyhevlin Hotel. All meetings start at 8pm.
