In a statement, the group said: “We must make clear to the UK Government that it would be reckless in the extreme with the impact horrendous for agriculture and food if the UK were to crash out of the EU with no deal on 29th March.

“The beef industry, to give one example across these islands, is already being devastated due to uncertainty currently with price losses at the farmgate of 10 percent plus, not to mention the add-on costs to consumers from March 29.

“A no deal on March 29 would, by way of UK and EU Customs and Excise administration costs, consequential transport waiting times and WTO tariffs where applicable on lamb, milk, milk products, chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, fruit and other produce at the UK Northern Irish border with the EU/Southern Ireland border, UK Dover border point with Calais, French EU border and all other food importing/exporting points around and in the UK.

“For the sake of commonsense we ask you to draw back from the brink – ask for more time to achieve a successful outcome if a deal cannot be reached by 29th March.”

The organisation’s statement has been delivered to MPs Michael Gove, Andrea Leadsom, Theresa May, Neil Parish, Sir Vince Cable, Sir Kier Starmer and Anna Soubry.

Copies have also been sent to the Irish government, the Isle of Man administration, the Scottish government, the Welsh government, EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, Council of Ministers President Donald Tusk and European Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

FFE members will also be copying in their MEPs and other politicians where appropriate.