Labour pledges to support agriculture in Brexit trade negotiations

A Labour Government would ensure British farmers were not disadvantaged in Brexit trade negotiations, according to the Party's manifesto, which was formally unveiled today.

Following the leak of the draft version last week, the real thing, unveiled by leader Jeremy Corbyn this morning, included a section offering strong support for farming as new post-Brexit trade deals are pieced together.

The manifesto said: “The EU is the UK’s single largest trading partner in agricultural produce, with the vast majority of British exports being sold to European markets. A Labour government will end the uncertainty for our farmers and food producers by securing continued EU market access allowing British farmers and food producers to continue to sell their products on the Continent.

“Labour will also protect our farmers and rural economy by ensuring Britain continues to set the highest standards in food quality and welfare. We will not allow Brexit to be used as an excuse to undercut our farmers and flood Britain’s food chain with cheap and inferior produce.”

The manifesto also pledged to allow EU workers employed across farming, fishing and food manufacturing to remain in the UK and reinstate the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.

A Labour Government would drop the Conservatives’ Great Repeal Bill, replacing it with an EU Rights and Protections Bill that the manifesto suggested would at least maintain the key environmental protections in place at EU level.

For more detail about what is in the manifesto, click here