Twenty-six leading food and drink bodies from across the supply chain have issued a joint letter agreeing 10 priorities to protect UK food security post-Brexit.
The signatories said they want to protect the UK's 'world leading' food and farming sector.
They said trading ties with the EU are 'deeply interwoven', as is the regulatory framework.
The letter states that abrupt change would have 'enormous consequences' for the industry, its employees and for the choice and availability of food.
The letter said: "Feeding people well is a matter of national security and vital to the success of the UK economy.
"Since the vote to leave the EU, we have worked with the UK Government to explain the policy outcomes we need in order to continue providing safe, affordable and nutritious food and drink to UK consumers.
"The opportunities for our industry are huge. But uncertainty around the shape of our exit from the EU, the future of our domestic farming and fisheries production, and a looming skills and workforce shortage threaten the viability of our businesses
"Our trading ties with the EU are deeply interwoven, in respect of both imports and exports. So too are the regulatory frameworks in which we operate.
"These complex relationships must be handled with patience and care. Abrupt change would have enormous consequences for our industry, its employees and for the choice and availability of food in this country."
10 priorities
1. Avoid any ‘cliff edge’ by securing an adequate interim and transitional period to help prepare for a new relationship with the EU.
2. Quickly negotiate the right to remain for the UK's valued EU workforce.
3. Recognise the unique nature of the UK's relationship with Ireland by agreeing a series of special solutions on workforce, regulation and borders.
4. Deliver continued zero-tariff and frictionless trade across borders in both directions to give consumers the choice they expect, at a price they can afford.
5. Maintain consumer confidence in UK food safety and authenticity through a stable, equivalent regulatory framework to ensure seamless trade.
6. Develop home-grown talent and consult fully over the needs of industry ahead of any new migration scheme.
7. Support ambition for an industrial strategy sector deal to harness industry’s growth potential and improve productivity.
8. Turbocharge exports support to help smaller food and drink firms take advantage of new opportunities so that the UK can grow share of global trade.
9. Provide a competitive supply base and ensure reforms to UK farm support – and to fisheries management – take full account of the needs of the rural and coastal communities, planning and investment horizons.
10. Maintain the UK as the destination of choice for multi-national food and drink firms and encourage inward investment to benefit local communities.
Signatories include British Meat Processors Association, Food and Drink Federation, British Poultry Council and the National Association of British and Irish Flour Millers.
