For Northern Irish farmers, no-deal Brexit would be a calamity | Ivor Ferguson

Without an exit deal with the EU, the whole NI agricultural industry will be destroyed

" Ivor Ferguson is president of the Ulster Farmers' Union

As president of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), my last three years have been dominated by Brexit and what it means for farming families. More than 33 months on from the referendum all we have are unanswered questions and uncertainty.

The threat of a no deal is still there. Parliament's vote to reject a no-deal Brexit, and to seek an extension to article 50, are positive steps but the legislation is clear. If the UK does not agree an exit deal with the EU, we leave with no deal. This is a terrifying prospect for Northern Ireland farming families and their businesses.