The head of the United Kingdom’s farmers lobby says UK farmers and policy makers “have a lot to learn from Australia”.
With negotiations underway on the country’s departure from the European Union, Meurig Raymond, president of the National Farmers Union of England and Wales, said no trade deals could be done until the exit was finalised.
“Obviously when we leave the EU which could be in four to five years, then there will be trade discussions between Australia and the United Kingdom,” Mr Raymond said.
“They will be bilateral but who knows the dynamics.
“I would have a lot of members who would be very nervous on free trade with countries around the world who could probably produce food more competitively such as Australia.
“Businesses are far bigger and maybe regulatory system is less onerous.
“I think British farmers and policy makers have a lot to learn about Australia operates.”