Committees

Brexit: agriculture - new inquiry launched

18 January 2017

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has launched a short inquiry on Brexit: Agriculture.

Focus of the inquiry

Following the UK's vote to withdraw from the EU, the inquiry will examine the implications of Brexit for agriculture and identify priorities for a post-Brexit relationship with the EU. The inquiry seeks to highlight the challenges the Government will face when disentangling UK farming from the EU and the opportunities that arise for agriculture and food from withdrawal.

The inquiry begins with a public meeting on Wednesday 25 January, at which academics and industry experts will give evidence on agriculture and Brexit. Subsequent evidence sessions will focus on the following key issues:

  • Trade in food and agricultural goods
  • Regulations regarding farming and food
  • Funding and subsidies 
  • Access to labour
  • Public goods provisions through agriculture
  • Food security

There is no formal call for evidence for this inquiry. If, however, any individual or organisation wishes to make a written submission please, in the first instance, contact the clerk to the Committee, Celia Stenderup-Petersen (stenderuppetersenc@parliament.uk).

Questions that will be explored

  • What are the key opportunities and challenges for UK agriculture and food arising from the UK exiting the EU? To what extent is access to labour from the EU an issue?
  • What are the implications of leaving the Common Agricultural Policy for the UK, UK farmers and the rural economy?
  • What are the implications of Brexit for the supply of affordable and good-quality food in the UK?
  • What are the critical policy decisions the Government must consider and/or implement before the UK leaves the EU?  Do any particular issues or challenges arise from the proposed Great Repeal Bill for agriculture?
  • How will the future trading relationship with the EU affect the UK's agricultural policy after Brexit? To what extent could, or would, WTO rules affect policy decisions about funding for farmers and the environment? To what extent would it affect the regulatory regimes regarding agricultural goods, environmental protection, food standards, animal welfare or food quality?
  • To what extent, and how, could the provision of public goods and ecosystem services be promoted or protected through the agricultural sector after Brexit?
  • In repatriating agricultural policy, should the Government review and diminish or strengthen regulations that affect the agricultural sector? What are examples of legislation that merit de-regulation? To what extent could, or should, the UK to pursue a different approach to the legislation of pesticides, chemicals, plant protection, environmental regulations and animal welfare than the EU?

Further information

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