MP quizzes minister over the effects of no-deal Brexit on Cumbrian dairy farmers

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has accused the Government of overlooking the needs of Cumbria's farmers, after it emerged there was no mention of the dairy sector in the Government's no-deal Brexit plans.

Speaking during an urgent question on Operation Yellowhammer - the Government's contingency plans for a no-deal Brexit, Tim said: "The chief executive of the Dale Farm dairy co-operative, who speaks for 1,300 dairy farmers across the United Kingdom, says that leaving the European Union without a deal would "wipe out" all profitability in the dairy sector.

"Cumbrian dairy farmers know that too, yet there is not a single explicit mention of the dairy industry in the Yellowhammer document.

"Is that because the truth of how badly hit dairy farming in Cumbria and elsewhere will be is so serious that it is not even written down, or is it that the Government have overlooked the interests and needs of Britain's dairy industry?"

In response, Michael Gove, who is the minister who is in charge of the Government's no-deal preparations said: "No and no."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "The minister's frankly pathetic response illustrated quite clearly this Conservative Government's complete disdain for British farming.

"Instead of supporting an industry which is so important to our environment and to our ability to feed ourselves, the Government seems hell-bent on imposing massive tariffs on hard-working Cumbrian farmers."