North farmers should not be concerned by new deal
UK - Australia trade deal lacking in detail, but farmers should be confident in their World-class product.
Boris Johnson has insisted that British farmers will benefit from the UK's free trade deal with Australia, the first to be negotiated from scratch since Brexit.
The Prime Minister said it was "good news" for services and manufacturers in the UK, with British products such as cars, Scotch whisky and biscuits set to be cheaper to sell to Australia because of the tariff-free agreement.
Mr Johnson and Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, announced the agreement despite concerns from British farmers they could be undercut by cheaper imports.
Industry leaders have also spoken out over possible compromises on food standards, as the UK has a ban on producing and importing hormone-treated beef, which is permitted in Australia.
Mr Johnson said the trade agreement will adhere to the "strongest possible" animal welfare standards, while Mr Morrison insisted that Australian standards were "very high".
But the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has called for more information on provisions for animal welfare following the announcement, as it also urged assurances on whether the safeguards for famers are sufficient.
Locally, John Scott from Fearn Farm near Tain, wants to see more of a breakdown of what the agreement means.
He said, "It's obviously been discussed for a while but we haven't got the full details"
"There's opportunity there with the whisky industry, with those who grow barley, but I think the big worry though is the beef and lamb industry"
"If the Government ensures that Australian meat has to come up to our high standards, and also animal welfare, then I don't know how that would hit them"
"We've got some of the best standards in the World, we all sign up to that, and take pride in the product we deliver"
"I don't think we should be too worried given the standard of product we have here"
"You look at Scotch Beef and lamb - and that alongside Australian meat - I know what I'd take every day of the week"
"I don't think we should be too worried given the standard of product we have here, and Australia do have other markets closer to home"
"I'm really keen to hear more about any other deals which allow us the opportunity to export our products"
Total trade between the UK and Australia was worth £13.9 billion in 2020, while the UK was Australia's fifth largest trading partner the previous year.
NFU president Minette Batters said in a statement: "We will need to know more about any provisions on animal welfare and the environment to ensure our high standards of production are not undermined by the terms of this deal."
"The ultimate test of this trade deal will be whether it contributes to moving farming across the World onto a more sustainable footing, or whether it instead undermines UK farming and merely exports the environmental and animal welfare impact of the food we eat."