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Goat dairy industry warns on no-deal impact as sector at ‘critical stage in evolution’
The Milking Goat Association has written to the Farming Minister warning of the impact a no-deal Brexit could have on the goat dairy industry.
Alex Black
Goat dairy production could be set back ‘irretrievably’ by a no-deal Brexit with the industry in a ‘critical stage’ in its evolution.
The Milking Goat Association has written to Farming Minister George Eustice highlighting the impact on a market with increasing demand, now worth in excess of £60 million.
In the letter, director of the Milking Goat Association Phil Ormerod said the industry produced an exportable surplus which was important as it ensured there was always enough product for domestic processors.
Surplus
This surplus was exported as liquid milk to be processed in Europe into milk powder.
Mr Ormerod said: “A no deal Brexit would render this trade uneconomic overnight due to the application of WTO tariffs.
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“Such a scenario will result in UK goat farmers having to cut production, forcing some producers into a loss-making and unsustainable position,” he said.
“The loss of production will be a blow, affecting not only farmers, but consumers and processors too.
He added the specialist nature of the industry meant it would take a long time to recover from if markets in Europe were to re-open following an eventual trade deal.
“There are opportunities open to UK producers now which, if lost, could set our industry back irretrievably.
“We need this ongoing growth in order to support investment in our own much needed UK processing capacity if we are to capitalise on the global opportunities which are likely arise for goat dairy product.”
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