British farmers are looking with envy at the terms of the EU’s deal unveiled on Tuesday. Brussels agreed to a beef quota rising to 30,600 metric tons after 10 years, with a smaller quota of around 25,000 tons for sheep and goat meat.
By contrast, the U.K. agreed to a beef quota starting at 35,000 tons in the first year, rising to 110,000 tons by year 10, with sheep meat starting at 25,000 tons and growing to 75,000 tons. After year 10, the U.K. quotas are removed and tariffs then fall to zero, though temporary safeguards can apply if imports surge.
Still bruised by the deal, which came into force in 2023, U.K. farmers and campaigners blame their government for prioritizing speed over safeguards.
“The EU negotiated from strength; the U.K. negotiated to prove a point,” said Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming. “The contrast between the U.K. and EU Australia deals is striking and tells you a lot about negotiating power post-Brexit.”
Throwing farmers ‘under the bus’
Webster said the EU-Australia deal’s “far more cautious approach” of phasing in smaller volumes over a longer period better protects its domestic sector. Brussels had leverage to do that, representing a market representing hundreds of millions of people. “The U.K. is negotiating as a single mid-sized economy and is more exposed as a result,” she said.
Carina Millstone, executive director of the campaign group Foodrise, also praised the EU’s negotiating approach, which she said aimed to ensure that imports aligned with the bloc’s climate, environment and animal welfare standards.