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In the event of no-deal UK exit from the EU there could be checks on agricultural goods crossing the border, according to George Eustice, the UK's Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Eustice said that while the government is trying to avoid a no-deal scenario, in the event a deal was not struck by 29 March then border checks could be introduced.
“There aren’t checks at the border and there aren’t tariffs and in the future there could be,” he said.
Beef from Ireland
He acknowledged that the UK imported a large volume of beef from Ireland and said that in the event of a no-deal scenario the UK would probably revert to a most-favoured nation (MFN) tariff.
“We import a lot of beef from the Irish Republic and actually what we would do in a no-deal scenario is probably apply the so-called MFN tariff, the most-favoured nation tariff on sensitive sectors such as such as beef and sheep,” he said.
You also have to recognise that in agriculture we are a net importer of produce from the EU
The MFN tariff applies the lowest possible tariff a country can assess on another. However, this can lead to difficulties when negotiating bilateral agreements between countries, with some countries objecting to what can be perceived as preferential treatment between trading partners.
Growing domestic market
Eustice added that a no-deal Brexit could also help to grow the domestic UK market for certain produce.
“You also have to recognise that in agriculture we are a net importer of produce from the EU,” he said.
“We import a lot of beef from Ireland and a lot of dairy products from Denmark and pork from Denmark.
“In a no-deal scenario it would also be more difficult for them to sell to the UK and that would create opportunities for the UK.
“Opportunities to produce goods that are currently imported. Sectors such as horticulture, or in beef, or in poultry and also pork and many other sectors.”
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