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Treasury adviser Tim Leunig argued the food sector is not “critically important”. In his astonishing remarks, which comes as the UK prepares to enter crunch post-Brexit trade talks with Donald Trump, Doctor Leunig implies the UK could follow the example of Singapore “which is rich without having its own agricultural sector”. Responding to the sensational leaked document, chair of the National Farmers Union said there is a “moral imperative” to produce food in the UK and adds comparisons with Singapore are “out of touch”.

This news comes as British farmers fret about losing their protection and their subsidies, with their biggest concern about whether or how the Government will replace their £3billion of annual subsidies under the European Union’s common agricultural policy. Across the UK subsidies from Europe make up nearly two-thirds of total farming income. Doctor Leunig is a long-standing colleague of Boris Johnson’s No 10 enforcer Dominic Cummings, and his intervention exemplifies the radical thinking within Boris Johnson’s inner circle against bastions of the Establishment such as the Civil Service and the BBC. Conservative MP Sir John Alan Redwood argued against the idea, said, “We need to grow more of our own food.

Boris Johnson with farmers

Farmers fret over loss of EU subsidies

“Bad idea to write off farming. “Government agrees we need to cut the food miles and boost UK output.” This is extra bad news for farmers who are drenched by recent floods. An agricultural vet responded on Twitter pointing to the coronavirus crisis as proof of how vital sovereign food security is. READ MORE: Farage dismantles claims Northern Ireland will leave UK after Brexit

Farmers at a UK market

Food imports to the UK

He wrote: “Food sector isn’t critically important to the UK, and agriculture and fish production certainly isn’t”. He pointed to figures suggesting that it adds just 0.5 percent in extra value to the economy. He then questioned the special tax breaks given to farmers, saying: “We know that supermarkets also make very little and that lots of restaurants go bust. “Not sure I buy a ‘life is tough for farmers, easy for restaurateurs’ approach.” When he was challenged by fellow members of the review’s advisory panel, he responded: “All I am saying is that, as a logical possibility, a nation or region can import stuff. “We see that in many places for many goods and services.

Boris Johnson with farmers

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