There has been a lot of scare mongering about the future post-Brexit but as with any change, opportunities will arise.

What does future trade within the EU look like? The UK relies on over 70% of its agricultural imports from the EU and over 60% of UK agricultural exports are made to the EU. A favourable post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU is vital and the options for Worldwide trade outside of the EU must be negotiated.

There are many possible options available for post-Brexit trade within the EU. Some of the most talked about models include:

• The ‘Swiss’ option – under this model the UK would be outside the EU Single Market and the EU Customs Union but it would need to remain compliant with many EU rules and regulations.

• The ‘Norway’ option – gives the UK autonomy to control its own external trade policy while still having access on a tariff-free basis to the EU’s Single Market. The UK would not have entry to the EU Customs Union.

• The ‘United States/Canada’ option – a complete severance from the EU and full UK sovereignty.

• The ‘World Trade Organisation (‘WTO’)’ option – the UK will rely on the WTO’s existing multilateral trade agreements and would not need to comply with EU rules and regulations.

• The ‘Turkish’ option – the UK would be free from the majority of EU rules and regulations. It would be outside the EU’s Single Market but inside the EU Customs Union.

Within the UK, a lot of post-Brexit planning was taking place long before the vote on behalf of the rural sector.

The Tenant Farmers Association are exploring opportunities to develop a viable, sustainable farming policy. They are in talks with Government and suggest a policy with:

• A focussed agri-environment scheme which rewards environment management on an individual-basis;

• An infrastructural grant scheme to encourage farm business development; and

• The use of public funding in the promotion of British farm products, funding local market research and more.