A new group has been formed by eight organisations and trade associations involved in agribusiness, which aims to bring together the expertise of the agricultural sector as negotiations on Brexit progress.

The Agri-Brexit Coalition has been founded by the Agricultural Engineers Association, Agricultural Industries Confederation, British Society of Plant Breeders, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, Crop Protection Association, Grain and Feed Trade Association, National Association of Agricultural Contractors and National Office of Animal Health.

The new group will focus on those key issues in Brexit negotiations which are pertinent to the UK trading and supplying of goods, services, technology and advice to UK farmers.

Its stated purpose is to inform and influence UK Governments in order to achieve a positive outcome to negotiations for UK agriculture, as well as the EU and the wider world.

David Caffall, chief executive of AIC and coalition coordinator, said: "Whatever shape UK agriculture takes over the coming years, the industry and the nation will depend on higher efficiency and productivity along with successful relationships with other countries.

“Members of this coalition are the principal means by which knowledge is transferred and technical advance implemented on farm.

"This is a collective resource which we can offer to UK Governments providing a ‘one-stop shop’ of expertise. ”