In hindsight, the decision by British prime minister Theresa May to call a snap general election is probably no great surprise. With a slim majority of 17 at Westminster, the opposition Labour party in disarray and opinion polls predicting a majority of over 100 for the Tories, the temptation to go to the country proved too great.

While some might argue that a resounding victory for Theresa May will just reinforce her hard line on Brexit, it might actually be that a large majority will make it easier for her to face down the Tory right who seem to want Brexit at any cost. The mantra that “no deal with Europe is better than a bad deal” just does not stack up for the agri-food industry.

In the main livestock sectors, the EU accounts for over 80% of all UK exports, and much of this business is an important part of ensuring that the industry is able to sell parts of the carcase or other products not readily consumed on the home market. Those who think that this business can be easily replaced in non-EU markets are badly misinformed.

As the election draws closer, it will also be interesting to see what traction, if any, is given to the rural vote. We are moving into changed times, and once the UK leaves the EU, British agricultural policy for the first time in over 40 years will be made at Westminster, not Brussels. That is something the main political parties cannot ignore, and as a result we expect them to outline their main agri-related policy priorities.

Hopefully what will emerge is a positive vision for agriculture, and one that recognises the different challenges for farmers in NI compared with their counterparts in the east of England.

It would also be useful to hear from local political parties on what realistic policies they will be arguing for to protect the NI agri-food industry post-Brexit.

Or perhaps in all this we are expecting too much.

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