Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment has been made of the potential impact on agriculture and food production if strict limits on migration are imposed following withdrawal from the EU.

Supporting our farmers and protecting the environment will form an important part of our exit from the EU. We are now focused on making sure that all our policies are delivering for the UK and to grow our world-leading food and farming industry. I am looking forward to working with industry and the public to develop new proposals that support our agricultural and horticultural industries as we leave the EU.

With regard to labour from European nationals, until we leave the EU, there are no changes to labour movements. Defra is very aware that migrant workers from other EU countries will be one of the complex issues that will have to be resolved as part of our exit negotiation and future relationship with the EU. We are currently working with colleagues across government to analyse potential impacts and explore options.