The leaders of the UK farm unions have agreed to press the ministers to work for a common financial framework post-Brexit

During the UK farming unions' Brexit Summit, presidents of the NFU, NFUS, NFU Cymru and the Ulster Farmers' Union challenged the ministers to establish a well-funded, refreshed agricultural policy that suits the different farming conditions across the UK and allows farms to prosper.

A statement said: "Ministers must avoid an abrupt cliff edge for farmers following the exit from the EU.

"So it’s vital that Governments across the UK cooperate to ensure a funding transition from the current CAP to policies best suited to circumstances of different parts of the UK.

"In doing so each administration must avoid disruptive differences across the UK and between sectors.”

In order to achieve this, a Brexit Summit was proposed, attended by farming ministers.

Joining the meeting today was the permanent representative in Brussels, Maeve Whyte, show updated the unions on the EU commission guidance on the Article 50 negotiations.

She emphasised the importance of maintaining our excellent links to food and farming partners in Brussels and the importance of maintaining these relationships over the Brexit period and beyond.

The union presidents reaffirmed the importance of their organisations remaining firmly engaged with EU police development in the run-up to Brexit and also agreed the vital on-going role representation and presence in Brussels will have after the UK leaves the EU.