Which way should farmers vote? What's in their best interests? |
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The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) we have had to get used to was not designed to help British farmers, and takes little notice of the very different methods used in the UK compared to much of the rest of Europe. It has been said to hinder, not assist, our farmers in their work. One of the farmers' biggest worries seems to be the loss or reduction of farming subsidies if we leave the EU. However, George Eustice, the UK's Farming Minister, has confirmed that subsidies will not only be maintained outside the EU but actually be increased in many cases. This can be done because the CAP currently costs the UK at least £16 billion per year, and some sources put it even higher at £18 billion. There are other benefits, too. Outside the EU, animal welfare can be vastly improved by:
Leaving the EU and returning to a British system - run for UK farmers and overseen by the UK government in Whitehall, as it was before we joined the EU - appears to be a 'win-win' situation for all involved. It is hard to see why many farmers, but by no means all, are against the idea. |