IN the wake of last week’s budget, Tim Farron has pressed the government to recognise the importance of EU exports for British sheep farmers.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, the South Lakes MP stressed the lack of clarity regarding the future of British sheep product exports to EU countries.

Currently UK sheep farmers export 40 per cent of their total produce, 90 per cent of which goes to the EU.

A 52 per cent tariff would be imposed on sheep product exports if the UK leaves the EU without a deal and is forced to fall back on WTO rules.

Mr Farron said: "Family run hill farms in our area simply wouldn’t be able to cope with such a high export tariff being slapped on almost 40 per cent of their total produce.

"Such a move would devastate a critical part of the Cumbrian economy."