A NO-DEAL Brexit, which could have 'catastrophic impacts' for the UK’s food and farming sector, the four UK farming unions have warned.

In a joint release from NFU Scotland, NFU England and Wales, NFU Cymru and the Ulster Farmers’ Union, industry leaders have appealed directly to MPs to do whatever it takes to avoid Britain leaving the European Union without an agreement that will allow continued 'friction free' access to and from continental customers and suppliers.

In a letter to all MPs ahead of their 'meaningful vote' on Prime Minister Theresa May's exit deal, the unions highlighted the serious implications such a 'historic political failure' could have for the industry:

• Huge disruption as a result of an effective trade embargo on the export of UK animals and animal-based products;

• Affected sectors facing particularly high customs tariffs on exports – for example, the effective EU tariff would be 65% on beef, 46% on lamb and 27% on chicken;

• Impacts on UK production as a result of the government potentially choosing to unilaterally lower the UK’s import tariffs to control food price inflation, resulting in the UK market being open to imports of food produced to standards lower than that produced here by British farmers.

In the letter, the unions said: “Brexit will mean that, for the first time in a generation, UK politicians will have direct responsibility for ensuring our nation is properly fed.

“Yet, in the face of this fundamental responsibility, there is a very real risk that a disorderly Brexit will lead to an immediate reliance on overseas imports, produced to lower standards, while many UK farms struggle to survive. The implications, not only for domestic food supply but for the careful management of our cherished countryside, would represent an historic political failure.

“Our organisations remain committed to playing their part in managing Brexit in the best interests of farmers and the UK public in the years ahead, but we believe that leaving without a deal on March 29 will lead, very quickly, to the opposite outcome," said the joint statement.

“We urge MPs, in light of the central role Parliament will play in the coming days in resolving this impasse, to recognise the severe impact No Deal will have and to take all steps necessary to avoid such a departure coming to pass.”