Now then, Brexit . . . wait, don't go!
I know it's everywhere and I know it's mostly an instant turn-off. It is however inescapable. The problem is though that the issues surrounding it are constantly changing. The eventual outcomes seem to be both unknown and unknowable.
Therefore, to discuss how it might affect a particular industry, especially today ahead of the vote in Parliament which could change matters again, could be argued to be somewhat speculative. But here goes anyway!
A couple of stories have cropped up this past week relating to the effect of Brexit on sporting industries - and therefore as a consequence, the turf professional industry.
Firstly, a direct consequence of the vote last year has been on prices and the value of the pound. According to Tottenham Hotspur's director this has led to costs for their new stadium doubling from £400m to an estimated £800m.
Sky Sports reported that in an email from director Donna Cullen to a supporter published online, the club's director wrote, “Brexit has added a straight 20 per cent on costs for foreign goods due to the exchange rate, overtime working and increased construction costs similarly.
“It is worth remembering that the original cost quoted for the stadium (£400m) was some seven years ago. The new estimated figure (£800m) relates predominantly to the stadium with some elements of substructure for the other builds, particularly the Tottenham Experience.”
She added, “Revised basement works also added to the cost. We are constantly managing costs and will continue to do so throughout the process along with funding plans to ensure the viability of the scheme.”
One could argue that Spurs are a mega-rich club and can absorb price hikes quite easily - but what about everybody else? If new builds start to simply become too pricey they either won't occur at all (meaning no new turf pro jobs) - or if they do, investors will be looking for the cheapest options with the perceived greatest returns. And at the moment it certainly seems, if the Parklife Football Hubs are anything to go by, that artificial pitches are viewed as the means to create the greatest revenue - what with their multi-use and all-weather selling points. Not the greatest news for the natural turf sector.
The second story was a slightly more indirect worry. We've all heard of the concerns over the free movement of people following Brexit, but what about the free movement of horses? This notion is currently giving some in the racing industry something to think about.
Again, Sky Sports reported that thoroughbreds currently benefit from a tripartite agreement between the France, the UK and the Republic of Ireland which allows them to travel freely between those countries for races.
Under an EU directive, those horses only need an EU passport and to be on a livestock database. They do not require a vet's export health certificate or customs documentation.
If this changes after Brexit it'll make life much more complicated for trainers in terms of bringing horses over to the UK to compete in races.
Brian Kavanagh of Horse Racing Ireland is quoted in the Sky Sports report commenting on Brexit, "It's a game-changer in a number of areas. It's a game changer terms of movement of horses. It's a game changer on the value and export of horses. It's a game changer in the sourcing of staff to work in trainers and breeders yards.
"And it's a game-changer in terms of competition on the racetrack. It's a real worry and an issue that government needs to take very seriously."
If horses can't move around as easily to compete in races in the UK, will this lead to less exciting meets and therefore diminishing interest in the sport? Will crowds and income go down as a result? Would this lead to courses shutting and therefore turf professionals losing their jobs?
Lots of speculation there clearly, but these must be legitimate concerns for those working in this sector.
Brexit is happening, there’s no two ways about that. The role of the specialist turf media must now be to monitor the ongoing situation and report how changes will affect turf professionals. Meanwhile the trade bodies which represent those working within the sector, must keep pressure on government to provide the best outcome for their members.
