THERESA MAY'S Brexit deal seems to keep sheep producers away from the economic 'cliff edge' threatened by the loss of access to EU markets, the National Sheep Association said this week, as it cautiously endorsed the controversial package.

Association chief executive Phil Stocker said: “The document is some 585 pages long, so we have yet to have a chance to explore the full extent. It will take the coming weeks of discussions to really understand the full proposals, but it seems to give some degree of certainty, at least in the short term, and allows people to plan and prepare for the future.

"This deal would keep us from the cliff edge in March 2019 that we have been warning would decimate our industry.”

NSA has called for MPs to accept Mrs May's proposal to provide stability for food producers, and to consider the benefits of this agreement in the longer term.

“Our understanding is that this deal would allow us to continue with negotiating trade deals outside of the EU, giving us more time before we begin to move further away from the EU after the agreed transition period," said Mr Stocker. "To what extent the UK will be conceding to following European Union rules without having a say on what they are remains to be seen and we would expect Defra to release specific information on this in the coming days, but this deal does provide a level of stability.

"I think it would be in the interest of our industry for MPs to get behind this agreement and then make the most of what can be achieved in the longer term," he said. "This deal would essentially allow the UK more time to build on its future relationship with the EU rather than the danger of leaving with nothing in four months’ time.”

The NSA also reasoned that the May deal would allow Westminster more time for the development and introduction of its post-Brexit Agriculture Bill, giving policy makers and industry 'breathing space' to work together to reduce the risks of the change.

Mr Stocker added: “During this Brexit process we have seen a refreshing injection of energy, and the embryo of a new culture within Government and its departments, including Defra, along with a new approach to Government and industry working together. Whatever happens with Brexit there is no reason why this shouldn’t continue.”