The Liberal Democrats have warned that leaving the Single Market will risk putting farmers out of business, posing a risk to the family farm 'as we know it'.
Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron also warned that opening up Britain’s food markets to cheap imports will risk lower animal welfare rules,
The stark warnings come as Theresa May prepares for her summit with President Trump where a UK-US trade deal is expected to be at the top of the agenda.
Farron is visiting West Illand Farm today (Wednesday 25th January) in Launceston, Cornwall to discuss the implications of a hard Brexit on UK farming. He will also be accompanied by the Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for North Cornwall and former Defra minister Dan Rogerson.
'Hard Brexit and Trump'
Speaking ahead of the visit, Tim Farron said hard Brexit and a free trade deal with Trump 'pose a threat to the family farm as we know it'.
He said: “Pulling Britain out of the Single Market would hit UK farmers especially hard, as tariffs for agricultural products are far higher than in other sectors.
“The US also has far lower animal welfare and food standards than we do, including on factory farming, the use of growth hormones and antibiotics.
“British farmers therefore risk facing a perfect storm, losing tariff-free access to vital European markets while being undercut by imports from the US and elsewhere.
Farron concluded: “The Liberal Democrats will fight to hold Theresa May to account over her plans for a hard Brexit and ensure the British people are given a say on the final deal.
“The public did not vote to weaken animal welfare standards or put British farmers out of business.”
