The UK agricultural sector will suffer from Brexit according to an in-depth report launched on 27 September by the office of Antony Hook, Lib Dem MEP for South East England and Phil Bennion, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands.

Key findings include:

• 42% of UK farmers would have recorded losses without direct payments from the EU.
• A no-deal exit will cut the UK off from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Rapid Alert System for food and feed which ensures that food health risks can be quickly notified and managed. Without any transitional agreements in place, the UK would become a third country outside of the EFSA.
• Leaving the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will mean farmers will lose vital funding. Ministers have refused to comment on how much farmers will receive under the new scheme.
• In 2016, the UK exported £304m of beef, £285m of beer, £349m of cheese, £342m of lamb and £196m of wine to the EU. British beer, cheese and wine were exported to every EU member state.

On 23 September, Dinesh Dhamija (LibDem MEP for London), in partership with the UK Permanent Representation to the EU and Eurogroup for Animals, opened the exhibition titled Illegal Wildlife Trade.

Open from 23-27 September, the exhibition informed MEPs and visitors to the Parliament that the illegal wildlife trade not only endangers some of our most iconic species of wildlife, but it is a serious organised crime and damages the livelihoods of some of the world's poorest communities.

Join Tom Brake MP, Catherine Bearder MEP, David Chalmers (LDEG Chair) and other leading speakers for the Liberal Democrat European Group's "Brexit Debate" from 13.00-14.30 Saturday 14 September in the Purbeck room, Highcliff Marriott in Bournemouth.

Engage with Parliamentarians from Westminster and Brussels and activists to hear their perspectives and share your experiences and thoughts on how we can Stop Brexit.

The Office of Antony Hook MEP has compiled a research report detailing how a no-deal Brexit will impact the UK.

The report highlights the consequences of a no-deal Brexit. The report looks at the following sectors in-depth: the economy, the NHS, immigration, agriculture, fishing, travel and the impact on Northern Ireland.

This 21 August MEP profile includes interviews with Lib Dems Lucy Nethsingha and Chris Davies, both of whom have been elected to chair important committees. ➼ theguardian.com

Here's a fascinating chart from the Institute for Government showing how MPs voted yesterday. Below is a table showing how individual Lib Dem MPs voted.

Liberal Demoract MPs

David Chalmers, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Torridge and West Devon, has been elected chair of the Liberal Democrat European Group, which influences the party's European policy and campaigns.

Chalmers said: 'Teresa May's disgraceful attack on MPs and Parliament, which was reminiscent of a dictator in the mould of Hugo Chavez, was a disgraceful attempt to stir up hatred seldom if ever seen before by a British Prime Minister. She and her Brexit have become a threat to the reputation of our institutions, the safety of MPs and our traditional liberal approach to public debate. I vow to continue the fight to keep the UK in the European Union and ensure the Group promotes and protects liberal and European values.'

Saturday 16 March 2019, Bootham Room, Hilton York Hotel

AGM 18.15-18.45

Chair: Baroness Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, House of Lords

1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of Southport AGM and matters arising
3. Outgoing Chair's report
4. Chair's report
5. Accounts, Communications and Membership
6. Any other business previously notified

https://www.libdems.org.uk/brexit-activist-team

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has myopically decided to support May's miserable Brexit Agreement with the European Union (EU). In so doing they have opted to sacrifice longer-term certainty for the seeming short-term certainty of a deal which at best delays a regulatory cliff-edge for just two years, and holds out the promise of trade deals inferior to what we enjoy now as a member of the EU.