High prices mean no-deal sheep compensation may not be needed, says Eustice
Defra Secretary George Eustice has said the current ‘buoyancy’ of the UK sheep market may mean the sector will not need to be compensated in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
His comments came as the Prime Minister agreed with the EU to ‘go the extra mile’ and continue trade negotiations until the end of the year, after missing the self-imposed deadline to complete a deal by this Sunday (December 13).
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has already worked up two options for a no-deal compensation scheme in the form of a headage payment for ewes and a slaughterhouse premium.
But speaking to MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee last week, Mr Eustice said Ministers had not set a trigger point at which they would intervene, because they would want to see how markets develop and watch farm incomes.
by Abi Kay
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