UK FOOD and farming must talk with one voice and not be divided as it heads towards Brexit.

Tomas Pietrangelir, managing director of dairy sector giant Arla Foods UK, this week described Brexit as both "exciting and daunting" – and warned that "severe damage" could be done if the exit deal negotiated did not have food producers and farmers at its heart.

"My call to the industry at this time of uncertainty is to talk with one voice, and I’ll be working in the coming months to continue developing ideas about how this can be done. We must also research and develop a clear fact-base to fully understand the impact of each scenario, and not be shy about putting our collective voice out there once we have done so," said Mr Pietrangeli.

“I’ve been encouraged by the start that has already been made, and was proud recently to add my voice and that of Arla Foods UK to the largest-ever coalition of food producers and farming unions. Together, we wrote to the Prime Minister spelling out the need for the food and farming industries to maintain access to labour and tariff-free access to the single market after Brexit.

“In November, I discussed the opportunities for international dairy trade in the future. Speaking with ministers from the Department for International Trade, amongst other parliamentarians, it was really exciting to hear the potential for collaborative work with government as the UK dairy industry seeks to access foreign markets," he added.

“Any development that is good for our industry will ultimately be good for Arla and its farmer owners, and dairy is ready to rise to the challenges of Brexit and seek out its opportunities. In doing so, we must also protect ourselves against the threats. There is no doubt that Brexit brings uncertainty, and although we’re optimistic about the future of the industry, severe damage could be done if the deal negotiated does not have the industry’s needs at its heart.

“We can’t afford to be timid, and must speak openly to the government about what the sector wants from Brexit – it is through these initiatives – industry discussion, research into what Brexit will mean for us and direct calls to action from decision makers – that we can be prepared for both the challenges and opportunities Brexit may bring."