Israel sees potential for ag exports to the UK post Brexit

Faried al-Said Ahmed grows cherry and apple trees in the Golan Heights in Israel. The co-operative sells fruit across Israel, but Ahmed claims that while wishing for trade, the EU’s protection of its member states’ farms makes exports to Europe all but impossible. “If it were possible to sell in England then, my God, yes, we would,” he says.

The 52-year-old may soon get his wish. When article 50 is triggered in the coming days, the UK will be only two years away from negotiating its own trade deals. The focus has been on an agreement with the US, but given the probable complications of negotiating with self-proclaimed master dealmaker Donald Trump, Israel might be first to sign on the dotted line.

After talks last month, Theresa May and Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a joint working group charged with “preparing the ground” for a trade deal.

May: “We are ... building a global identity as a Britain that’s coming out of the EU and we want to build on our trading partnership with you. We are the biggest European trading partner with Israel.”

source: theguardian.com

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