Five former presidents of Scotland’s farmers’ union have united to urge the industry to vote to remain in Europe in next week’s referendum.
The men – John Cameron, Jim Walker, Ian Grant, Nigel Miller and George Lyon – put their political differences to one side to write an open letter to all Scottish farmers in which they say the best way to secure the future prosperity of the industry is to stay in Europe.
They are joined as signatories by prominent tenant farmers champion, Angus McCall and progressive local farmers Andrew Moir and Lochy Porter.
They men concede that many farmers may be tempted to leave the EU because they’re “scunnered” with form filling or the failure of the Scottish Government’s IT system, but call on fellow producers to think hard about the long term damage that would do to Scottish agriculture.
In their letter then men argue that financial support for farm businesses, access to export markets for Scottish lamb beef and cereal exports, and the future competitiveness of our industry are all on the line.
“Whether you love or hate the EU, it delivered 74% of farmer’s income in 2015 and their markets took 40% of our sheep meat and substantial quantities of quality Scotch beef. Remaining part of the EU is the only way to guarantee these advantages will continue,” they state.
“With UK Governments running huge financial deficits it is just not credible to claim future Governments north or south of the border will continue to spend £3.2 billion per annum on farmers rather than health or education.”
The men reject the Leave campaign argument that environmental, animal welfare and consumer safety legislation will be rolled back.
Instead they state: “On sow stalls, hen cages, live exports, badger culling and Greening rules our Governments have gold-plated the rules every time in the face of pressure from well-funded campaign groups. Leaving means we lose the unfettered access to our prime export markets.
“Countries such as Norway only secure the same access to EU markets as we do by paying the same EU membership fees, implementing the same EU rules such as sheep tagging but have no say over the rules. The worst of all worlds.”
The also counter the Leave campaign’s claim that being out of the EU would bring cheap food prices to UK consumers by arguing that new trade deals with Brazil, the United States and Commonwealth countries would open the flood gates to cheap beef, lamb and dairy products pouring in from Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Botswana.
They add: “That might cut food prices but it would be Scottish farmers that would pay the price.”
