Membership of NAFTA: a Viable Alternative for UK Agro-Food Producers

Abstract

As the EU enlarges to 25 members, the UK continues to stagnate on further integration, particularly euro membership. Against this background, senior Eurosceptics have mooted NAFTA accession as a possible alternative, whilst a literature search reveals only one corresponding quantitative impact study. This paper revisits this issue, whilst focusing mainly on the impact on agro-food (AF) sectors, since under the auspices of the common agricultural policy (CAP), UK support (non-border) and trade (border) protection is almost exclusively the preserve of AF sectors. Detrimental impacts to farming incomes are expected, whilst potential real income gains to the UK economy are reported.