Brexit a 'nightmare scenario' for UK food and drink business

The UK's food and drink firms would have to meet EU food laws to export but have no power to influence those rules, says analyst Kate Trollope

Brexit could create a nightmare scenario for Britain's food and drink industry, where companies have to abide by EU food regulations if they want to export to the EU but have no say over the regulations.

As David Cameron starts negotiations with 27 member states over reform, nothing has been discussed about what trade relationship Britain would have with the EU if it left. Most assume a deal along the lines of that negotiated by Norway would apply - it meets EU food rules in order to export to the EU. This means if Britain's food and drinks firms want to continue to export to the 450 million strong single market, they will still need to meet EU requirements.