Farmers in Wales remain ‘anxious’ toward the prospect of the UK ‘crashing out’ of the European Union without a deal in place.

NFU Cymru claims a ‘no-deal Brexit’ in which the UK would revert to World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules would amount to a ‘nightmare’.

Wyn Evans, the union’s livestock board chairman, warned that if Prime Minister May’s deal is voted down as expected, the alternative of ‘crashing out’ would devastate the farming industry.

“While political developments seem to gather pace and a draft withdrawal agreement has now been set down by the Prime Minister, the ongoing political uncertainty means that the threat of a no-deal Brexit still looms large, and that outcome would be a nightmare for the Welsh farming industry,” he said.

Mr Evans underlined the industry’s fears, reiterating the threat of no-deal.

“It is clear that opportunities exist for the Welsh farming industry in a future outside of the European Union, but even the most optimistic of Welsh farmers will be wincing when it comes to considering a future where we crash out of the EU and fall back on WTO terms. Exports of lamb would face an effective tariff rate of 46%, whilst for beef effective rates would be much higher at anything between 48% and 84% according to the cut. At the same time we could see the UK Government lower or remove import tariffs on imported food.

“A no deal scenario will see the UK needing to be recognised as a third country by the EU, with our access to our closest and largest market closed until this approval is gained. It’s a process dependent on political will but which could take six months or longer.

“The time has come for politicians across all parties to put their political differences aside to secure a future that is in the interest of the people of the UK and Welsh farmers, in particular. Farming is a long-term business and the ongoing uncertainty over our future relationship with the EU makes it extremely difficult for farmers to take decisions.”