The four UK farming unions have set out a clear agenda for a ‘productive, profitable and progressive’ farming sector ahead of the European elections.

Aimed at engaging with both domestic candidates and those from across the EU27, the new document UK farmers navigating change in Europe: An agenda for the futuremakes a series of policy asks.

The document covers six critical areas: Brexit, trade and standards, climate change, environment, healthy plants and animals, and science and innovation.

NFU Brussels director Maeve Whyte said: “However long UK MEPs are in post it is important they are working for our industry, which provides the quality ingredients for our safe, traceable food supply chain and underpins the UK food and drink sector, worth £122 billion.

“Whatever the outcome of Brexit we need a policy environment that allows farming businesses to continue to be productive and profitable but also deliver benefits for citizens such as high quality, affordable food and protection for our wildlife and countryside.”

Ms Whyte added: “These ambitions are as relevant for MEPs and other policy makers from the EU27 nations as they are for our own and they start with ensuring developments on Brexit prioritise the needs of farm businesses and the long-term prosperity of the agri-food sector.

“We must maintain our positive relationship with our European neighbours and work in partnership with them to develop an enabling regulatory regime.”