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The new Brexit proposal is currently being reviewed in “considerable detail” according to a spokesperson for the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU).
“Our priority is to fully understand what it means for agriculture, the food industry and, above all, the future prosperity of family farm businesses in Northern Ireland.”
The union has been discussing the proposal and policy structures internally and has found that, for now, there are more questions than answers.
A spokesperson for the union said that more clarity is needed about how the new deal would work.
Complex
“While the proposals appear to address concerns around regulations and tariffs, our initial assessment has deemed the plans complex and bureaucratic.
“In particular, we need clarity and detail around Northern Ireland’s access to EU trade deals once the transition period ends.
"If we are excluded, this would have a significant impact on trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.”
The union also called for “more certainty around the details of Northern Ireland’s unfettered access to Great Britain’s market. Our key objective from day one has been to secure trade that is as free and frictionless as possible east-west and north-south.”
The UFU also said that a no-deal remains the worst possible outcome for Northern Ireland’s family-run farm businesses and “must be avoided”.
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