Back in those pre-war, pre-Covid and pre-permacrisis halcyon days of early 2020, the world was the UK food sector’s oyster in terms of post-Brexit trading opportunities.
Ellie Newis reviews two of the flagship free trade agreements that were supposed to reignite the UK economy.
Two handpicked consignments of UK goods have been sent to Australia and New Zealand to mark new post-Brexit agreements.
‘Farms Will Not be Able to Survive This’: Sword of Damocles Hanging Over Farmers Thanks to Brexit
02/06/2021
As the details of Boris Johnson’s trade deals are unveiled, these two farmers are pessimistic about the post-Brexit future of their industry.
FUW President Glyn Roberts has described Brexit as a “mess” and says the exit from the EU is one of the factors responsible for the hardships now being faced by farmers across Wales.
Allies of UK trade secretary Liz Truss accused of launching an ‘unprovoked attack’ on Dan Tehan on the eve of their meeting.
‘Asia is taking us to the cleaners’: Emily Thornberry destroys new trade deals in the Commons
21/10/2021
"This is now the third Asia-Pacific agreement in a row where more than 80 per cent of the projected growth in trade has gone to exporters in those other countries," she said.
They produce half the country’s sugar needs, but expect new trade deals to make their tough situation worse.
Why would anyone trust Brexit Britain again?
24/07/2021
Just seven months after singing its praises, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is attempting to rewrite the Brexit deal he signed with the European Union.
Meanwhile former Cabinet minister George Eustice questioned the negotiating strategy that led to the Australia and New Zealand trade deals.
Brexit has "permanently damaged" the UK economy, former Bank of England policymaker Michael Saunders warned as London was deposed as Europe's biggest stock market.
UK’s Liz Truss was warned of blow to food sector under Australia and New Zealand trade deals
12/07/2022
Data obtained by POLITICO shows economic toll on farmers known before key post-Brexit trade talks began.
All trade deals combined worth less than 50p per person a year, analysis of government figures shows.
Tory MP Neil Hudson said he was worried that the free trade agreement (FTA) could see British farmers undercut and “undermined” by cheap Australian meat imports.
UK-Australia trade deal after Brexit 'is not a substitute for the EU', warns former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull
22/01/2020
Malcolm Turnbull said a UK trade deal with Australia would not replace the benefits of being inside the world's largest trading bloc.
Egg shortages ‘just the start’, says NFU – warning tomatoes, cucumbers and pears could become scarce.
Select committee says ministers want to rush through deal allowing food imports that fall below UK environmental standards.
The UK is expected to offer Australia a trade deal later on Friday, under which both countries would phase out taxes on imports over 15 years.
Fears for farmers and anger over dropping of pledge to bind Australia to crucial climate temperature limit.
The British government secretly dropped a series of climate pledges in order to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with Australia, leaked emails appear to show.
UK has handed Australia whip hand in trade deal talks by being ‘desperate’, Boris Johnson warned
20/05/2021
‘It gives the Australians the ability to say, ‘we’ll dig in – here are our terms, but we’re not going to budge’.
Negotiations between the UK and Canada on a post-Brexit trade deal have broken down after nearly two years, following a row over beef and cheese. / Canada has been pushing for the UK to relax a ban on hormone-treated beef, which its producers say in effect shuts them out of the British market.
The International Trade Committee, a cross-party committee of UK members of parliament, has warned the government against “overselling” its free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia, saying that “flat-footed negotiating” has led to significant concessions without securing all possible benefits in return.
However, disenchantment with Brexit has been one of the most notable trends of 2022 with a feeling that it has not lived up to the promises made at the time of the referendum. / Two thirds or 65% of British people think Brexit has gone badly compared to just 21% who think it has gone well according to an Opinium survey in early December.