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UK Gov split on Australia trade deal that could hammer Welsh farmers

18 May 2021 2 minute read
Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash

The UK Government is split on a potential trade deal with Australia that could hammer Welsh farmers.

A “ferocious” internal battle is going on between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of International trade over the terms of the post-Brexit agreement, amid fears it could boost Welsh and Scottish independence.

According to the Financial Times, people with knowledge of internal discussions ministers divided over whether to grant tariff-free access to Australian farmers, which would risk a fierce backlash from the UK farming industry.

It is feared that the likely impact of zero-tariff imports of Australian lamb and beef will land hardest in rural areas such as Welsh and Scottish hill farms.

Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, is reportedly facing stiff opposition from George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, and Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office Minister, who have warned of the political fallout from a zero-tariff deal.

A government official told the FT: “Liz argues that if you can’t get a good trade deal with Australia, who can you get one with?”

‘Real pressure’ 

One person with knowledge of the internal discussions said: “There is an absolutely ferocious row going on in Whitehall over the Australia deal with real pressure to get it resolved by the end of this week. Gove and Eustice are on one side, Truss and [Lord David] Frost on the other.”

The UK Government estimates that a free trade agreement with Australia would be worth an additional 0.01-0.02 per cent of GDP over 15 years — or £200m-£500m more than 2018 levels.

One insider opposed to the deal said: “Basically we’re talking about signing off the slow death of British farming so Liz Truss can score a quick political point.”

Both camps admit they don’t which way Boris Johnson will jump on the issue.

“It’s the $100m question,” said one government official. Downing Street declined to comment.

Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers’ Union, has warned that British farmers could never compete with Australian farms, with their “massive feedlots and soulless ranches”, if they were granted zero-tariff access to the UK.

She wrote in the Mail on Sunday: “The government says it wants to ‘level up’ Britain. But this can never be achieved by throwing our family farms under the bus.”


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Quornby
Quornby
2 years ago

Has anyone heard just one teeny weeny little bit of positive news about the Brexit suicide pact with the Welsh people?

Mandi A
Mandi A
2 years ago

The savvy little lambs say “bring it on, live long and prosper”. LOL

arthur owen
2 years ago
Reply to  Mandi A

Do you think they will be going to a zoo? I just thought,they will, to feed the carnivores.

meurig watkins
meurig watkins
2 years ago

Perhaps some of the peatlands that are currently used for sheep farming could be restored and Cymru could charge carbon credits?

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  meurig watkins

Sounds like a green puritan’s wet dream !

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago

First the fishing industry now the farming – well so long as those in the Westminster bubble are ok…..

Gareth Bunston
Gareth Bunston
2 years ago

Another example of Westminster’s Westminster first Wales last. I suppose everyone is last with this government though

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