NFU Scotland's president Andrew McCornick has stressed that there must be no "Brexit cliff edge" for Scottish agricultural businesses.
The move follows the UK Government proposals on Tuesday for possible Brexit trading arrangements and yesterday's publication of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI)/Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute analysis of potential policy scenarios on the main product sectors within farming.
Mr McCornick said: "The importance of a phased transition to new arrangements is recognised in the scenarios included in the research issued today and in the trading proposals unveiled by the UK Government yesterday.
"A phased transition is necessary to offer certainty and stability in the short to medium term.
"On trade with the EU, an agreement on an initial transition period through which the UK retains unfettered access to European markets is essential. Such arrangements must be in position for the full duration of negotiations and until a Trade Agreement between the UK and the EU is in place."
Mr McCornick went on: "However, UK negotiators must not underestimate the challenge that lies ahead in negotiating such a deal with the EU. A new customs agreement between the EU and the UK needs to cover 100 per cent of goods and avoid lengthy delays at UK-EU borders.
"This is no small task but NFUS is clear that any outcome that imposes tariffs could be catastrophic for parts of Scottish agriculture - the sheep sector in particular."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 10,412 store North Country Cheviot (NCC) wether lambs in Lairg on Tuesday to a top of £71 and an average of £51.06 (-£3.37 on the year), while 3,796 NCC ewe lambs peaked at £160 and levelled at £76.52 (+£5.73).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd had 3,654 store lambs forward at their weekly sale in Longtown on Tuesday. Top prices and averages for selected breeds: Suffolks to £69.50 and averaged £59.47 (-64p on the week); Texels £77 and £58.68 (+65p); Mules £70 and £56.43 (+£3.12).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 1,498 prime lambs in Newton Stewart yesterday to a top of £100 per head and 212.5p per kg to average 188.1p (-2.9p). The auctioneers report that the 865 lambs weighing 42kg and more averaged 195p, while lighter and leaner ones were difficult to sell and dragged the overall average down.
The firm also sold 203 heavy cast ewes to a top of £108 for Texels and an average of £69.98, while 154 light ewes peaked at £58.50 for Blackfaces and levelled at £39.80.
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