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NPA heads to Downing Street for Brexit talks

28th Feb 2017 / By Alistair Driver

The NPA is heading to Downing Street today to outline its priorities for Brexit, ahead of the triggering of Article 50 in March.

David JonesChief executive Zoe Davies, policy services officer Lizzie Wilson and vice chairman Richard Longthorp will set out the hopes and fears of the pig sector when they meet Brexit Minister David Jones this afternoon.

Mr Jones told the NPA in January he would be pleased to meet it to ‘discuss any concerns and the position of the British pig industry following the referendum’.

The meeting was agreed after the association wrote to Brexit Secretary David Davis seeking assurances that the industry’s concerns will be reflected as the Government formulates its policy for life after the EU.

Trade and access to labour will top the agenda, as the NPA spells out its three Brexit priorities:

  • Retaining sufficient access to EU labour
  • Retaining tariff-free access for exports to the EU market
  • Ensuring pork imports are produced to equivalent standards.

NPA will also be quizzing the Minister on how the Department for exiting the EU planned to manage the transition period after Article 50 has been triggered and the resource that has been allocated to deal with the impending negotiations.

Zoe said: “Brexit is going to have an enormous impact on the pig industry and we are really pleased to have the opportunity to ensure the pig sector's voice is heard.

“Throughout the Brexit negotiations, up to the triggering of Article 50 and beyond, we will be seeking a fair deal for British pig farmers on trade, while stressing the vital need to ensure we retain access full-time, skilled and unskilled labour.”

To see the NPA’s comprehensive briefing on Brexit click here

Zoe recently gave evidence to MPs on the issue of access to labour, while the NPA has also submitted evidence to a House of Lords committee on Brexit.

The association has also been in contact with Ministers from Defra, the Home Office (on immigration) and Liam Fox’s Department for International Trade, as it strives for a positive outcome for the pig sector.