NPA heading to Downing Street for Brexit talks

The National Pig Association has been invited to Downing Street to outline its position ahead of crucial Government Brexit negotiations.

The association’s chairman Richard Lister will be accompanied by chief executive Zoe Davies and policy services manager Lizzie Wilson to a meeting with Brexit Minister David Jones in Downing Street on February 28 (the date has been changed since this article was first posted).

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

The meeting was agreed after Richard wrote to Brexit Secretary David Davis outlining the NPA’s position on the big Brexit issues and seeking assurances that the industry’s concerns will be reflected as the Government formulates a policy for life after the EU.

Richard said: “We are delighted to have been invited to Downing Street to express our hopes and fears ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

“We will be seeking a fair deal for British pig farmers on trade, while retaining access full-time to EU labour will be an absolute priority for our sector.”

The NPA has also been in regular contact with Defra Ministers and has written to Home Office Minister Robert Goodwill (on immigration) and Liam Fox’s Department for International Trade, with a view to further meetings, as it strives for a positive outcome for pig farmers.