With the EU ‘In or Out’ debate in full swing, NFU economist, Lucia Zitti, highlights some of the questions that farmers should now be asking.
She writes:
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While many people have an instinctive response to the question, it is impossible to measure the true impact of being outside of the EU. The NFU has not taken a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ stance on Europe ahead of the conclusion of the UK’s renegotiation of its relationship with Europe.
The NFU has set out the way in which UK farming’s relationship could be improved and we will continue to promote the interests of British farmers throughout the in-out debate.
So far no-one has explained what the nature of the UK’s relationship with the EU would be if we were to leave. Neither do we know the conditions under which farmers would be expected to operate. A number of trade models with Europe already exist – such as the European Free Trade Agreement and European Economic Area – but none cover the agriculture sector.
In the midst of so many unknowns, the NFU’s team of experts has explored our industry’s current relationship with the EU and the big issues which need answers. Our new report “UK Farming’s Relationship with the EU” is not designed to answer all of those questions, but as the debate evolves in the run up to the referendum, we will push politicians to answer those that are vital to our industry.
The NFU has set out the way in which UK farming’s relationship could be improved and we will continue to promote the interests of British farmers throughout the in-out debate. Help us to press for clarity by asking the questions below to those on both sides.
Questions facing farmers with a ‘NO’ vote:
- Would we have access to the European market, and under what conditions?
- What would a future British agricultural policy look like, particularly for direct support?
- If we continue to have access to the EU’s single market, but take a different approach on support to farmers, how will fair competition for our farmers be ensured?
- Would Britain be more or less open to imports?
- What immigration policy would the government pursue and how would it affect our access to labour?
Questions facing farmers with a ‘YES’ vote:
- What will you do to ensure the European Commission has a strategy to make European agriculture more productive and globally competitive?
- How would you ensure the CAP remains a common policy and that British farmers have a level playing field to compete upon?
- How are we going to achieve better regulation?
- How are we going to ensure that all decisions are based on science?