European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan was doubtful and critical on Monday, 18 March about the United Kingdom's tariff plans in the event of leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement at the end of March.
At the Agriculture Council, “many ministers spoke to reiterate their concerns about a no-deal Brexit”, Mr Hogan said at the press conference on Monday after the Council.
He was critical of the UK's proposed tariff plans in the event of a disorderly exit from the EU, even if these measures are temporary.
87% of products would be subject to a zero tariff, while two products - beef and cheese - would be subject to “a significant tariff”, the Commissioner deplored.
He said, in essence, that if the United Kingdom imposed tariffs, the EU would do the same and this would also have an effect in terms of border controls.
Mr Hogan recalled that Ireland exports a significant volume of beef to the United Kingdom, a volume equivalent to 75% of all European beef exports to the United Kingdom.
Other countries would be heavily affected by some of the tariff measures, such as France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands or Denmark, Hogan said.
He stated that the measures envisaged might not comply with WTO rules: “We are far from having a tariff proposal that makes sense”, Mr Hogan said.
Emergency measures. But the EU is ready, if necessary, to put in place emergency measures in the event of a market disruption. It must be said that the EU has some experience in this field, as such measures have been taken following outbreaks of animal diseases (foot-and-mouth disease, mad cow disease) and the Russian embargo on EU agri-food products.
At the Council meeting, the Polish delegation informed the Council of the difficulties encountered at national level with regard to: - the rapid import of poultry meat from Ukraine; - the possible granting of preferences to meat producers under the free trade agreements with Mercosur, Australia and New Zealand; - the impact of a no-deal Brexit.
Many other ministers intervened. Ireland, Belgium and France referred in particular to the negative impact that a no-deal Brexit could have on the beef sector (in the event of British tariff measures).
Hungary and Italy referred to safeguard clauses to protect certain products. Spain and Portugal called for vigilance in certain sectors, such as pig meat.
Croatia and Germany also supported the Polish requests.
Status quo impossible. The British delegation talked of the temporary tariff measures (four months) envisaged in the event of no-deal Brexit, although “we prefer that a deal be reached”. But they warned that the status quo would not be possible and that it would be impossible to maintain a zero rate for all products.
On poultry, Mr Hogan recalled that the EU was in the process of adopting an amendment to the free trade agreement with Ukraine, “to limit poultry volumes”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)