Brexit has well and truly begun!

[Carana]

You don't really think all the European car manufacturers and especially the German ones will allow that do you?

You forget the EU needs us to continue to buy from them, not the other way round.

Who will British farmers export to and where will the subsidies come from?

[John]

Who will British farmers export to and where will the subsidies come from?

The UK already pays the EU money which is returned to British farmers as an annual single farm payment so the economics is very simple, we just cut out the middlemen.   I would add though that the system should be reviewed since the fatcat farmers are getting far too much of the cream while thousands of small farmers with heritages going back several generations are going to the wall.

As for exporting, the question doesn't arise as the UK is a net importer.

[Carana]

I notice that we're not supposed to refer to a "hard" Brexit any more. The new term appears to be "clean".

 

[John]

I notice that we're not supposed to refer to a "hard" Brexit any more. The new term appears to be "clean".

 

Yes, a clean cut, a new beginning.  Someone asked about waifs and strays a bit back.  There is estimated to be millions of illegals living in and around London and the South East, time they were dealt with and dealt with efficiently.

[stephen25000]

And what is meant by "waifs and strays". And where do they come from?

I was wondering that Carana.

[Carana]

The UK already pays the EU money which is returned to British farmers as an annual single farm payment so the economics is very simple, we just cut out the middlemen.   As for exporting, the question doesn't arise as the UK is a net importer.

Do you disagree with this article by Farmers' Insight, John?

EU trade implications

One of the biggest unknowns for UK farming is what sort of trading arrangements will be put in place after we leave the Single Market, with its 500 million consumers and free movement of goods and people.

    The UK currently has free access, without tariffs or border controls, to an EU market of 500 million people
    The UK exports nearly £11 billion of food, drink and animal feed products to the EU, 60 per cent of total exports
    About £26.5bn comes the other way
    38 per cent of UK lamb goes to the EU, with France accounting for nearly 60 per cent of exports
    93 per cent of beef exports and 92 per cent of sheepmeat exports go to the EU


Everything depends on the nature of any agreement the UK negotiates with the EU. This will determine what sort of tariffs, if any, are put in place on trade both ways between the UK and the EU and what other conditions are attached, such as the need for regulatory compliance.
https://www.fginsight.com/vip/vip/brexit-vote---what-are-the-implications-for-uk-farming-13146

More pondering here:
https://www.fginsight.com/news/news/brexit-briefing-what-are-the-trade-implications-for-farmers-of-leaving-the-eu-10459

[Carana]

Yes, a clean cut, a new beginning.  Someone asked about waifs and strays a bit back.  There is estimated to be millions of illegals living in and around London and the South East, time they were dealt with and dealt with efficiently.

Where do these "illegals" come from?

[John]

Do you disagree with this article by Farmers' Insight, John?
https://www.fginsight.com/vip/vip/brexit-vote---what-are-the-implications-for-uk-farming-13146

The article asks many questions but provides little answers.  There is no doubt the UK farming industry will have to rise to the challenge, paying 'lazy' farmers £100 an acre every year simply to do nothing with their land was a crazy EU incentive.  British farmers have done their bit in the past and will do so again.

[John]

Where do these "illegals" come from?

All over the world, the vast majority being economic migrants and overstayers.  Time we had a Borders Agency fit for purpose.

[Carana]

All over the world, the vast majority being economic migrants and overstayers.  Time we had a Borders Agency fit for purpose.

What constitutes "illegal" and how many of those are EU citizens?

[Alfie]

Yes, a clean cut, a new beginning.  Someone asked about waifs and strays a bit back.  There is estimated to be millions of illegals living in and around London and the South East, time they were dealt with and dealt with efficiently.

Could we have a cite for that please. Given that the population of the South East of England is circa 10 million, then millions of illegals would seem to indicate that at a minimum one on in every 5 people in the South East of England is here illegally.  Seriously?!

[Carana]

The article asks many questions but provides little answers.  There is no doubt the UK farming industry will have to rise to the challenge, paying 'lazy' farmers £100 an acre every year simply to do nothing with their land was a crazy EU incentive.  British farmers have done their bit in the past and will do so again.

Who has the answers, then?

In the event of tariffs (or other penalties), the price of EU imports of UK farm-related produce / products *may* be offset by the lower pound.

However, as you pointed out, John, the UK is a net importer in the food sector.

So... doesn't that somewhat turn the situation on its head?

How will the UK food companies (and ultimately consumers) deal with higher import costs due to the pound and the potential extra cost of levies?

And will the situation be less or more expensive for UK food-based manufacturers who need to import raw ingredients or whatever else in order to export the final product?

[Alice Purjorick]

Who will British farmers export to and where will the subsidies come from?

Where they have always come from.
Historically the worst of it is rooted in nearly starving to death in the Second World War. There is a case to argue it started in the Naopleonic Wars but let's leave that for now. Read "Theft of the Countryside" for detail on subsidies pre "Common Market".

Anyway out on the edge of The Fen potato growers will no longer be able to use cheap European labour to dig potatoes*. English labour will not do it for reasons they will not do it now. The Murphy's, Bonzers, Spuds, tubers call 'em what you will, then remain underground to rot. The growers say "'ere Mr DEFRA ,or whatever his name is now, due to circumstances beyond our control we have lost our profits giss a subsidy to cover it". Certainly says Mr DEFRA it's not my money anyway. In days gone by Gentleman Jim owned the farm but nowadays it is large corporations and pension funds.............. Good innit  . First law of economics "To him that hath shall be given"
Speaking of digging potatoes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7eHYSFu1kE
as banned by The BBC!.

[John]

Could we have a cite for that please. Given that the population of the South East of England is circa 10 million, then millions of illegals would seem to indicate that at a minimum one on in every 5 people in the South East of England is here illegally.  Seriously?!

Its not too hard to Google it Alfie. Try London millions illegals.

[John]

What constitutes "illegal" and how many of those are EU citizens?

EU citizens are entitled to live and work in the UK.   An 'illegal' is simply someone who has entered the country illegally, has outstayed their welcome or been denied citizenship.