FAMILY farms in Dorset could be at risk if the UK fails to get a trade deal with Europe, it is claimed.

Molly Scott Cato, one of the MEPs for the South West, said if the UK leaves the Single Market and a new trade deal with Europe is not achieved, then WTO rules could come into force – which she believes would be ‘disastrous’ for small family farms.

The NFU said in the event that a deal could not be reached outside of the Single Market, ‘phased arrangements’ will be ‘absolutely vital’ to avoid farm businesses facing a cliff edge.

Under WTO trading rules, tariffs would be imposed on around 90 per cent by value of the UK’s exports to the EU. The EU accounts for around 65 per cent of total agricultural exports from the UK, while around 70 per cent of the UK’s imports originate from other EU countries. 

Dr Scott Cato said tariffs on both exports and imports would make UK farmers less competitive and increase both food prices for consumers and supply chain costs for food producers. 

She added: “The decision by Theresa May to opt for a hard Brexit will strike our family farmers and small scale food producers particularly hard. They are the cornerstone of agriculture in the South West, so any tariff or non-tariff barriers could seriously weaken the regional economy and devastate rural communities. 

“The government has no plan on replacing the agricultural support and direct payments farmers receive through the Common Agriculture Policy. It wants to end free movement which will mean farms are no longer able to take on seasonal migrant labour from EU countries. While exiting the single market could mean the imposition of steep tariffs on exports and imports. This is a triple whammy few family farms in the South West could withstand.”

A spokesman for the NFU in the South West said: “British farmers – along with many other industries – have consistently warned of the dangers of putting up barriers to accessing the European market, whether these are financial or logistical. 

“We hope the Prime Minister’s ambition to negotiate a trade deal with Europe can be achieved, but these normally take years to conclude and do not cover all products. If a quick and comprehensive deal cannot be achieved it would be absolutely vital that there are appropriate phased arrangements to avoid a disruptive ‘cliff-edge’ and allow farmers to adapt – especially given that agriculture is a long term industry; farmers are making decisions now without knowing what a future trading environment will look like. 

“We must do our best to ensure that farming has a profitable, productive and resilient future after Brexit.”

A farmer's view

Richard Tory runs Charisworth Farm near Blandford. He said: "I cannot see our Government coming out of the single market and not negotiating a new deal with Europe. Europe needs our products as much as we need theirs and a decent trade deal will be agreed, probably before we come out."

He added: "The whole campaign to stay in Europe was run on Project Fear, and Molly Scott Cato’s comments regarding leaving the Single Market are just the same. Family farms shouldn’t be bullied but embrace change and take control of their own future."