In the wake of the European Referendum decision the Ulster Farmers’ Union says it will continue to work hard to secure the best possible deal for Northern Ireland’s most important industry.
The UFU says it fully understands that the referendum was contentious for the farming and food industry and the 12,000 farming families the UFU represents. UFU president Barclay Bell said: “From the outset our position was that we would not tell our members how they should vote. We also stuck by a commitment not to take part in any panel discussions or interviews. We did however facilitate an industry debate before the vote. We believe that helped people reach an informed position on a once in a generation decision on future relations with the EU”.
With the UK vote to leave the EU, Mr Bell said farmers and the wider rural community should not panic about an immediate end to CAP support measures or changes in trade arrangements with the EU market particularly with the Republic of Ireland, since it will be a negotiated rather than an overnight departure from the EU. He said: “We don’t want farmers to panic. CAP support is guaranteed to 2019. We will immediately enter into discussions on future support arrangements, funded by the UK Treasury, and also on the continuation of trade with Europe. We also have a UK farm union’s team in Brussels that will work closely with the European Commission and UK government as the UK makes the transition to exit the EU”.
Now that an outcome has been reached, the UFU had previously scheduled meetings with its Board and Executive Committee to discuss the implications of the result and will continue to communicate with its members on the timetable for change.
