What’s it all about, Brexit?

We are nearing blast off as Article 50 is set to be triggered on Wednesday this week by British Prime Minister Theresa May. I spent last Wednesday at the European Dairy Association’s policy conference, listening to European dairy leaders celebrate European unity and bemoan the loss of key EU member the UK. Some were upset that it would disrupt their business model, but as one audience member wryly pointed out, Nestlé operates in 160 countries and seems to manage well enough, despite the difference in laws and labelling. So, whatever occurs, people, farmers and companies will cope.

It may be a rough few years after 2019-2020, as farming payments shift over to domestic government, but something no doubt will be hammered out. I suspect the two-year time limit is just the starting point for unravelling 40 years’ worth of legislation and replacing the Brussels red tape with red, white and blue tape, as Stephen Jones of Somerdale International has so eloquently put it.

However, it was nice to see the 60 years sign hanging by the European Parliament and see the fellow Europeans happy in their free flowing borders. Indeed, some attendees were positively giddy in their multi-country relationships and workplaces. And so they should be.

I think what Brexit has already done for some parts of the European community is reminded them of what it is they actually have, and how easy it is for it to come undone. Like democracy, it is not something to be taken for granted, but instead something to be carefully tended. The need for a united Europe is stronger than ever, especially in today’s troubled world, and on the anniversary of the Rome Treaty, it is heartening to see that the resolve for it remains.

Sadly I will now be watching, with my 60 million fellow Britons, on the sidelines, as they celebrate their 60th anniversary. Maybe we can get Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland to come over to watch Eurovision or something.