To most farmers, it’s better the devil EU know

WELL, only a few days to go now – and by Friday morning we should know the answer to the question that has kept us all awake at night for quite some time.

Enough of the Jacob Sheep Championships at the Highland Show though – because I believe there’s another big event taking place next Thursday too.

It actually came as a bit of a shock to me when I realised that when we walk through the familiar gates on the second day of the show next Friday morning, we will know whether or not we’re going to leave or remain in the European Union.

Now, while I guess much of the population might be heartily bored by the whole affair and can’t wait for it to be over, the build-up has been going on for so long now, the fact the referendum is actually going to take place comes as a bit of a shock.

With the Common Agricultural Policy – or the CAP as it’s better know – laying out the framework and the rules and regulations for farmers to work in, the EU probably plays a more direct and obvious role in the life of farmers than it does elsewhere.

And for most farmers it’s one of those things that you love to hate – and many have a sort of “can’t live with it, can’t live without it” relationship with what started off as the EEC but has now become the EU.

Farm support plays its part in the industry’s view of the EU – and while most farmers would like to get paid enough for the food they produce to do without it, that’s never going to happen.

While the problems with CAP have been many, at least there’s some security on this front for the next few years while the promises that we’ll be looked after by our own government if we leave the EU are nothing more than that – just promises.

Farmers also know that around 60% of our farm exports go to EU countries – and while this would be unlikely to be stopped altogether, trading across borders would be more difficult and more costly.

And while most farmers would like to be rid of all the rules and regulations imposed on them, there’s very little chance that any of these would ever actually go, even if we left the EU.

So, come next Thursday, I guess most farmers will be favouring the devil they know.

Farmers are more directly affected by the EU than most.