The fostering of stronger trading relationships between the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) makes total sense.

So let’s hope this is exactly what will happen when London and Brussels settle on new sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements in about a fortnight’s time. And if this is achieved, farming and food in Northern Ireland will benefit accordingly.

At a very fundamental level new SPS standards will address in a meaningful way many of the issues that continue to give cause for concern within the context of the Windsor Agreement. But more than this, the EU remains one of the world’s most important trading entities. Our local farming and food sectors export 80% of the output they produce. And whatever that can be done to foster better relationships between London and Brussels has to be applauded. Moreover, all of this can be achieved without re-opening the Brexit debate.

One key advantage of creating closer ties with the EU is the scope it generates to re-visit the debate on the levels of agricultural support funding provided in the UK. And all of this centres on the provision of a level playing field where trade in agri food products is concerned.

Since leaving the EU, farm support budgets in the UK have haemorrhaged. And this is particularly the case here in Northern Ireland where Stormont has overseen a regime, which has led to a dramatic reduction in agricultural support funding. Adding to the pressure facing farmers here is the fact that all of this has taken place at a time when all input costs have increased at an exponential rate.

Meanwhile, Brussels has continued to recognise the importance of European farming and food courtesy of the monies made available to fund the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Given this backdrop, it makes the job of the farming unions here to argue for enhanced agricultural support budgets if the UK and the EU are more closely aligned. It’s all about the principle of delivering a level playing field for all parties involved.