An Agriculture Overview by Region A Census Summary:
Agricultural Trade Between the Regions:
Agricultural trade within and between the regions of the British Isles is essential. The UK and Ireland share a strong trade relationship in agricultural products due to proximity and historical ties. For example:
UK-Ireland Trade:
The UK imports significant quantities of dairy products, beef, and other food items from Ireland. In return, Ireland imports cereals, animal feed, and other agricultural goods from the UK.
The integration of supply chains means that disruptions (like those seen with Brexit) can impact both economies, highlighting the importance of smooth agricultural trade relations.
Intra-UK Trade:
Within the UK, agricultural products are traded between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For instance, dairy from Northern Ireland and lamb from Wales are distributed across the UK, while England supplies cereals and horticultural produce to other regions.
Agricultural trade and cooperation between the British Isles are mutually economically beneficial, vital for maintaining food supply stability, encouraging sustainable farming practices, and supporting rural economies across the region.
For the latest sources of agricultural data for the region that you farm, detailed upto date information is available from official regional government and agricultural authorities such as:
England: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
Scotland: Scottish Government’s Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS) https://www.gov.scot/policies/agriculture-and-the-environment/
Wales: Welsh Government Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department https://www.gov.wales/farming-countryside
Northern Ireland: Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/
Republic of Ireland: Central Statistics Office (CSO) Ireland and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine https://www.cso.ie/en/methods/tn/departmentofagriculturefoodandmarinedata/