PRESIDENT of the NFU, Minette Batters, has underlined the importance of an ambitious trade deal with the EU for UK agriculture.

During a visit to England’s largest sheep producing area, Mrs Batters also highlighted the significance of the sheep sector to the UK economy.

Wiltshire livestock farmer Mrs Batters spent the day in Skipton meeting local sheep farmers and officially opened a new livestock sales complex at Craven Cattle Marts’ site.

The complex, which includes two bespoke sale rings, represents the biggest single investment at the edge of town Gargrave Road mart in more than a decade.

With 30% of England’s sheep to be found in Yorkshire and the North East, sheep production is vital to the rural economy. In 2015 the value of sheep meat exports to the EU topped £302 million – representing 95% of all such exports.

Mrs Batters highlighted the fact that this year’s lamb sales would be the last before the UK enters unchartered territory outside membership of the EU.

“This brings into sharp focus the importance of securing a favourable trade deal with the EU,” she said, “especially given the value of the sheep sector to the UK and the value of European export markets for sheep meat.

“The trade deals the country is now negotiating seem very far away, with few of us actually exporting or importing directly. But trade is absolutely fundamental to the future of our livestock industry.

"With so much at stake, the UK Government must adopt a trade policy which prioritises tariff-free, frictionless access to the European marketplace.

“This is crucial to underpin market stability – vital not just for farmers, but the many wider supply chain businesses that depend on a thriving sheep sector.

"Clearly there are opportunities to explore new trading agreements with nations around the globe, but we cannot turn our backs on a trading relationship that has, for so long, influenced the development of our livestock industries.

“Farmers are determined to continue delivering for the nation, whether that’s providing quality, safe, traceable food for everyone, no matter what their budget, or managing iconic landscapes and helping the country achieve its environmental aspirations.

“But to do this we need the Government and its trade negotiators to understand the very real challenges facing livestock farmers as we head into unchartered waters and be ambitious in their negotiations.”

While Skipton’s new sale rings - one a dedicated sheep sales ring, the second a calf/stirk sale ring - have been in use since early April, CCM chairman Anthony Hewetson welcomed Mrs Batters on what was her first visit to Yorkshire as President of the NFU.

He said: “We are delighted that Minette was able to take time out of her busy schedule to be with us and declare the new sales rings officially open.

"She is a great champion of the agricultural sector and deserves all our support in the future at what is a critical time for all in farming.

“This major investment improves our facilities for both vendors and buyers ahead of potentially the most significant change for livestock farmers since the UK joined the EU in 1973.”

After unveiling a plaque to mark the official launch, Mrs Batters said: “It is breathtaking what you have achieved here at Skipton.

"It is my first visit to the Dales as president of the NFU and I think it is incredible what is going on here. The new sales rings are a fantastic addition to the facilities you already have.”

In keeping with a long-held tradition, the first sheep to enter the ring on official launch day was sold in aid of charity. The 40kg Texel-cross was donated by a regular vendor, Thomas Walmsley, of Crossbeck Farm, Haverah Park, Harrogate.

After fierce and generous bidding at the ringside, it sold for a heady £215 to James Robertshaw, of Keelham Farm Shop, a leading buyer of both prime cattle and lambs at the mart for his two family-run shops in Skipton and Thornton. The proceeds were in aid of the farming welfare charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI)