Amid the fallout of Brexit lies a key concern for the farming and fisheries industry in terms of the economic and legal impact. Almost every aspect of the sector is directly affected by the EU. Massive subsidies and legislation for everything from set-aside payments, the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) and livestock subsidies are currently balanced against legislation on wildlife protection through to the use of GM crops.
How will the UK redefine this balance following Brexit? To the advantage or disadvantage of UK farming and fisheries?
The legal concerns
Sections of the farming community have persistently said that EU legislation, rather than benefiting farmers, is hindering the development of the industry. Particular focus is the EU’s continual introduction of environmental protection measures which are seen as a burden or restraint on farming practices.
These impacts can be wide ranging, from everything like flood defence schemes and town and country planning through to food labelling and seed production. Other environmental concerns, such as air pollution, carbon emissions and subsidising renewable energy, which all affect farmers, need to be addressed post-Brexit.
An example is the EU ruling on the use of neonicotinoids (or ‘neonics’) was alleged to have had a massive impact on rapeseed crops, yet was introduced in the UK following European research that claimed it had a direct negative effect on the bee population. It was, and still is, highly controversial. Rapeseed farmers are hoping that the Brexit decision will allow them to start using neonics once more.
It is currently proposed that EU wildlife protection will continue to be incorporated into UK post-Brexit via the EU Withdrawal Bill. However, if the neonic situation is anything to go by (where temporary easing of the ban was granted), the government could change their mind on any piece of environmental protection legislation for the benefit of UK farmers, free of direct EU control post-Brexit.
Meanwhile, the fishing industry is governed by quotas set by the EU, and legislation that dictates when, where, and how much fish the UK fleet can extract.
The Common Fisheries Policy allows UK fishermen to buy EU vessels and the accompanying quotas. The situation regarding quotas, restricted waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (which can extend up to 200 nautical miles around a nation’s coast) will be subject to change. Not only could the UK’s land borders close but, potentially, its ‘open access’ waters may be off limits to foreign fishing vessels too. By the same token, UK fishermen would be unable to fish in French or Spanish waters until any new agreements are made with individual countries. In any event, fishermen will need to monitor legal changes created by Brexit to ensure they’re not in breach of any restrictions.
The economic concerns
For many involved in farming and fisheries, the Brexit argument began as a purely financial one. Some farmers worried that, if the EU subsidy tap is turned off, the British government will be reluctant to top up the financial tank. With billions in subsidies being pumped into British farming every year, the thought that such an important financial pipeline could be withdrawn is troubling.
The longer term financial impact on farming may derive from Brexit’s effect on the labour market. EU legislation covers every aspect of life, including the free movement of EU citizens – a workforce that the farming community relies heavily upon. If borders close, access to seasonal workers from Europe may prove to be very difficult for large farms.
For the fishing industry, any potential legal changes regarding quotas and restricted waters, alluded to earlier, will have an inevitable knock-on effect on sustainability, both environmentally and financially.
Article published: 24th October 2017
