Brexit could "make or break" the livelihoods of already-poor farmers depending on what action the Government takes on trade with 116 developing countries, the Fairtrade Foundation and Traidcraft said.
Without measures to replicate current EU rules - which exempt products such as bananas, sugar and coffee imported from developing countries from charges or taxes - the incomes of millions of farmers could be hit.
Imports from developing countries to the UK are worth £34 billion annually, and almost half (47%) of them could face additional tariffs if Britain does not take action to replicate EU rules - costing £1 billion.
But there is also an opportunity to deliver fairer trade deals between the UK and those countries to help them work their way out of poverty, a report from the organisations at the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, said.
source: belfasttelegraph.co.uk
