Martin Kennedy of NFUS says farmers would feel seriously betrayed by Boris Johnson if a free trade deal with Australia goes ahead FARMERS are “seriously worried” about the consequences of a zero-tariff post-Brexit trade deal with Australia, according to the president of the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS). It has been reported that the UK Government is in a row over whether to give Australian farmers tariff-free access to markets here. Representatives from the sector and opposition politicians have warned this would threaten farming, particularly in Scotland and Wales. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Brexit minister Lord Frost are both on board with the idea – but Environment Secretary George Eustice and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove are said to have concerns over a backlash.
Liz Truss has defended plans for a post-Brexit trade deal with Australia amid reports of a cabinet split over the impact on British farmers from granting tariff-free access to the UK market.