Vote set to decide if NFU stays in EU farm lobby post Brexit

A key vote by European farm leaders will decide whether the NFU remains a member of the influential Copa-Cogeca umbrella organisation after the UK leaves the EU.

The powerful lobby group represents farm unions and co-operatives from across Europe – fighting the corner on behalf of growers and livestock producers at the heart of Brussels.

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Copa-Cogeca’s rules require its member organisations to be from EU member states.

But that will no longer be the case for the NFU once the UK formally ceases to be a member of the EU on 29 March 2019.

The NFU says it hopes to remain a Copa-Cogeca member – at least during the Brexit transition period which is due to last from 29 March 2019 to 31 December 2020.

‘Foreseeable future’

The Copa-Cogeca praesidium – which comprises representatives from its member organisations – is due to vote on the issue of continued NFU membership on 14 June.

NFU director of policy Andrew Clark told Farmers Weekly it made sense for the union to remain a Copa-Cogeca member “for the foreseeable future”.

He said: “The NFU believes that working closely with our European colleagues on EU farm policy – and our shared farming future – is incredibly valuable.”

The NFU’s membership of Copa-Cogeca played a vital part in that work, added Mr Clark.

“For the foreseeable future, British farming will continue to follow the rules laid out by the CAP, alongside the thousands of other EU regulations and decisions that affect members on a daily basis.

European allies

“The NFU will continue to fully represent the voice of British farming during this uncertain time, working with European allies to strengthen our messages and ensure members get the best possible outcomes.”

The Brussels-based Agra Facts news service says “there are no provisions in Copa or Cogeca statutes for this kind of situation”.

But it adds several Copa-Cogeca members “have underlined the importance of closest possible collaboration to minimise any disruption in our economic and political relations to the UK”.