Talking to farmers on the ground at the Royal Highland Show, there is a mixed reaction to this morning’s news that Britain will leave the EU. What was surprising was the range of views expressed among the farming community.

Malcolm Hay

Beef farmer, Aberdeenshire

“I am very unhappy with the result this morning; we are now facing huge uncertainty. I am a commercial beef farmer and without subsidies my business will become unviable. I fear we will be at the mercy of right-wing politics with little regard for agriculture. The only saving grace may be that the value of the pound will be so low that we have a competitive advantage over the rest of Europe.”

Crawford and Tracey Shields

Dairy farmers, Island of Bute

“We would have preferred to stay, but really don’t know what to think. On one hand, the UK was a net contributor to the CAP, with only a small percentage of the money returning to UK farmers. However, there’s nothing to say that the government have any plans to use that money to support farmers in the future. There was so much confusion created by both sides, we feel the vote to leave was based on fear rather than any firm belief that we would be better off. From a farming point of view, hopefully it will help improve efficiency on farm, which has been neglected for too long. At the moment, there’s too many people receiving payments that have nothing to do with farming.”

Christie

Sheep farmer, Ballycastle, Co Antrim

“I’m happy enough with the result. I think in the long run, we will be better off out of Europe. I don’t think it will affect trade too much and if it does there are more places to trade with than the EU. As it was, the CAP was being reduced so much over the next few years anyway that I feel we won’t be that much worse off, and I’m sure it will be replaced with something similar.”

Sion Thomas

Dairy farmer, Pembrokeshire, Wales

“I know most young people voted to stay, including a lot of my farming friends, but I decided to vote to leave, so I’m happy enough with the result. I think the first couple of years might be difficult and there is a lot of uncertainty as to where things stand in terms of government policy. However, I think British farmers need to be less reliant on subsidies and I think this decision will drive on-farm efficiency. I think it will be good for young farmers in the long run.’’

These sentiments reflect those of the majority of people I was talking to. Some are very unhappy and prepared for difficult and uncertain times ahead, while others see it as an opportunity for change that will reward productive farmers in the future.”

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