Trade negotiations between the UK and the European Union are likely to be delayed but should begin before the end of the year, Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove has said.

Speaking in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on Thursday evening, Gove said that he believed the European Council will conclude next month that sufficient progress has not been made in Brexit negotiations for talks to begin on future UK-EU trading relationships.

However, he said that this was only likely to be delayed by a few months and that post-Brexit trade negotiations would begin before the end of 2018.

The Defra Secretary was speaking at a DUP event organised by North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Jr. During his address, Gove reiterated that UK farmers would not be undermined by the government allowing lower standards of food imports into the UK after Brexit.

NI talks

Earlier in the day he was at Stormont and met with agri food stakeholder groups, including the NI Food and Drink Association, the NI Agricultural Producers Association and the Ulster Farmers’ Union. The Surrey Heath MP later visited a farm in Doagh, Co Antrim, with representatives from the UFU.

“Meeting with agricultural leaders was a chance to hear first-hand from them as we move towards life outside the EU. We will continue to work closely with industry to ensure we grasp the opportunities that leaving the EU presents,” Gove said.

David Wright contributed reporting to this article.

No compromise on standards post-Brexit – Gove

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Brexit trade talks likely to be delayed – Gove

Talks on future UK-EU trading relationships are likely to begin before the end of the year, Defra Secretary Michael Gove has said.