Can Greater Levels of Cooperation Help to Improve Productivity and Resilience in UK Agriculture Post Brexit Drawing Comparisons with the New Zealand Dairy Industry Experience?

Abstract

UK agriculture is being challenged to improve its productivity to secure its long-term resilience in the post Brexit era and to contribute to wider UK economic growth. Within this context, this paper has two main objectives: first, to identify opportunities and challenges facing UK agriculture in the postBrexit era; and second to assess the applicability of the New Zealand cooperative business model to the post-Brexit agriculture sector in the UK. This study uses a mixed methods research approach. Indepth personal interviews were carried out with UK and New Zealand industry experts. Quantitative data from UK farmers supplemented the core interviews. The results of this study indicate that whilst cooperatives had the potential to add great strength to the UK agricultural industry, they were not the only solution. Findings have revealed that effective collaboration will be dependent on a cultural shift to change attitudes amongst UK farmers. Trade, policy, the level of uncertainty and business structures were identified as the main external and internal factors affecting the opportunities and challenges the UK agriculture will face. Results of this study also indicate that the future success of the UK agriculture industry requires the right enabling environment facilitated by government.