U.K. trade association the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) does not believe there will be any immediate changes to import and export regulatory requirements following a vote by the British public to leave the European Union.

The U.K. held an historic referendum yesterday (June 23) on its membership of the trading bloc, and in the early hours of Friday morning it was announced that the majority of voters had opted to leave.

In the wake of the decision, British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he will resign by October.

The FPC said in a statement this morning it recognized the decision would have a 'number of impacts' on the future of U.K. trading in fresh fruit and vegetables.

The group is requesting to meet with key government departments and agencies in the near future to discuss the interim position and give its members advice on various issues.

These issues include customs tariffs, recruitment of foreign workers, regulations on plant health and marketing standards, alternative access to the EU Single Market, and international trade agreements.

"The transition towards the UK leaving the European Union will take some time, potentially two years, and therefore it is likely that there will be no immediate changes to regulatory requirements for imports and exports," the FPC said.

"There will need to be a considerable amount of work undertaken to develop the UK’s new trading arrangements and FPC will be engaging in this process with immediate effect to lobby for the most commercially advantageous position for our members.

"We will look to update guidance to members as soon as is practically possible and will provide advice on an on-going basis as more details emerge."

Meanwhile, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) released a statement saying the vote to leave the EU would 'inevitably lead to a period of uncertainty' in a number of key areas for British farmers.

"The NFU will engage fully and constructively with the British government to construct new arrangements. This needs to happen as soon as possible," the group's president Meurig Raymond said.

"Our members will rightly want to know the impact on their businesses as a matter of urgency. We understand that the negotiations will take some time to deliver but it is vital that there is early commitment to ensure British farming is not disadvantaged.

"It is vital that British farming is profitable and remains competitive, it is the bedrock of the food industry – Britain’s largest manufacturing sector."

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