A no deal Brexit would be ‘catastrophic’ and could lead to food that is illegal in the UK being imported into our markets, the NFU has warned

She went on to counsel that leaving the EU without an agreement would see the introduction of export taxes on food and livestock sent to Europe. The UK, she said, is unable to eat the amount of lamb it produces and depends on trade relations with France, which buys 40 per cent of the nation’s sheep meat, to sell the produce. She insisted new tariffs could see many producers unable to export their produce, with sheep farmers among those who would be worst hit. It could lead to the mass slaughter of sheep in the UK and many British agriculture workers going out of business.

She added the risk to UK jobs would be equally catastrophic to the sector. She said: “We’ve said consistently that it would be socially and economically disastrous for this sector. Agriculture is part of the largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, which is worth more than the car industry and the aerospace industry put together. We employ one in seven people so it is really, really serious for us.”