Lobby group Consumer Choice Center (CCC) has warned the UK Government that applying tariffs on meat in case of a no-deal Brexit will increase the costs of Brexit and put another burden on British consumers.

Instead, it argued that unilateral tariff liberalisation on agricultural products is “vital” for making consumers better off.

Maria Chaplia, media associate at CCC, said: “”Along with fish, oil, and fats, meat is one of the few agricultural products exported by the UK. The abolishment of tariffs would have a significant positive impact on low-income households.

“More specifically, if the UK removes tariffs on meat, the price will decrease by 3.2 per cent as a consequence of a higher supply.”

She added: “The UK is a net importer of beef and unilateral liberalisation would have a considerable impact on the domestic market.

“Opening up the UK market will challenge the meat industry to compete with the rest of the world, which is what the government seeks to protect it from.”

Chaplia also stated that a no-deal Brexit would cost the UK 2.2% of GDP by 2030, adding that unilateral liberalisation would help compensate up to 80% of that reduction in real GDP.

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