Farming remains hugely important to the French economy and its success is very much tied to the operation of the EU Single market.

Heloise Pestel, agricultural counsellor to the French Embassy in the UK told the NFUS annual conference of the pride French people for the largest agricultural sector in the EU.

“There is a strong link with “terroir” and our Protected Geographical Indicators (PGIs). There is also an expectation of high food safety, environmental standards, and good animal welfare. That is the context from which we start,” she said.

Speaking as former trade negotiator on agriculture in previous WTO rounds, Ms Pestel said: “A new CAP is obviously needed but we must have coherent EU trade policies which keep a level playing field and protect our sensitive sectors.”

It may have sounded very Franco- centric but Ms Pestel endeared herself to her Scottish farming audience by ending: “Don’t worry. French agriculture will always leave a light on for you.”

Standards

Geoff Ogle, chief executive of Food Standards Scotland warned his NFUS audience that his priorities as a regulator would probably not make him popular with farmers.

Food safety had to be protected at all costs.

Trade deals would start the Brexit process but once agreements were reached then a process of audits, inspections and new regulation would begin.

“The authorities, such as FSS, will be held to account if things go wrong. One thing is for sure, the further we move from regulatory alignment the harder it will be, “said Mr Ogle.

One of the major tasks will be to create new risk analysis mechanisms to replace the EU systems which we use now. Some of these decisions will be devolved and we have to ask how that will affect the internal UK market.

“One thing is sure. There is a clear expectation amongst consumers that food standards will be maintained.”

Asked how consumers would be aware of imports produced to lower standards, Mr Ogle thought food labelling would be very important in raising awareness.

There was no guarantee that these imports would be acceptable to the public but that left aside the unknown temptation of lower prices.

Source: FG Insight
 

• EU to ban products made with forced labour - a progressive tool against modern slavery
• VN needs drastic reforms to create firm ground for economic growth: experts
• Enterprises want clearer regulations on seafood production
• Foreign businesses increasingly seek export sources in Vietnam
• Sailing through storms: The fallout of Red Sea disruptions for global trade and inflation