British farmers raise concerns over UK-NZ free trade deal

First it was Australia, now New Zealand have locked in a deal — but British farmers aren’t sold on the benefits.

British farmers have expressed concern over a freshly inked trade deal between London and Wellington.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and British PM Boris Johnson signed off on the trade pact last week, which is set to be of prime benefit to Kiwi wine and lamb producers.

Tariffs will be eliminated immediately on 97 per cent of NZ products upon completion of the deal, which is in its final draft phase.

At full implementation, modelling shows New Zealand exports to the UK will increase by up to 40 per cent and increase NZ’s GDP by up to $970 million.

One of the UK’s highest-profile primary producers, Minette Batters, who is president of the National Farmers Union, has raised concerns about the deal.

“The announcement of this trade deal with New Zealand, coupled with the Australia deal signed earlier this year, means we will be opening our doors to significant extra volumes of imported food,” Ms Batters said.

“(This produce may) or may not produced to our own high standards – while securing almost nothing in return for UK farmers.

“We should all be worried that there could be a huge downside to these deals, especially for sectors such as dairy, red meat and horticulture.”