Beef + Lamb New Zealand sounds the alarm over no-deal Brexit
Several Brexit scenarios are now possible and Beef + Lamb New Zealand is watching developments and continue to prepare for any eventuality. "At the same time we continue to work closely, and in partnership with the Meat Industry Association (MIA) and the New Zealand government on the negotiations at the World Trade Organisation and the implications for our sheep and beef quotas into the EU27 and UK markets", announce the association on its website.
At present, New Zealand exports just over $2 billion worth of red meat to the EU, most of it sheepmeat. 55% of the sheepmeat exported in Europe is consumed in the EU 27, while 45% ends up in Britain, according to official data.
Scenarios regarding a no-deal Brexit, government resignation, a second referendum or delayed/cancelled Brexit are taken in consideration by the red meat industry in New Zealand as uncertainty is again the term to perfectly describe the situation of Great Britain's departure from the EU.
The main danger is represented by the disruption that could appear in case of a no-Brexit. "Once Brexit occurs, just a six-minute check of documents at Dover will back up traffic to London in 12 hours", explains Jeff Grant, New Zealand's red meat sector Brexit representative.
Even a split quota between the EU27 and UK wouldn't not represent an advantage for the New Zealand sheepmeat exporters considering the fact that, in case of no-deal Brexit, it is possible that British exporters might effectively be shut out of the EU market and New Zealand is going to see its tariff-free quota of 228,000 tonnes of sheepmeat a year halved.
Also, any future free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK could open the door for new competitors in this market such as Australia.
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