CASE STUDY

WITH nearly 40% of the EU’s budget spent on agriculture, the industry is central to the Brexit debate.

However, like most sections of British society, farmers are divided on the issue.

One side calls it economic suicide, the other says it’s an opportunity to carve out a better financial deal for the UK.

Kelso farmer Alistair Busby, 48, is involved soft fruit, arable and hill farming.

He said: “To say I am pessimistic about the situation we are in would be a big understatement.

“As farmers we are going to be dragged into the car park and shot in the back of the head.

“In the same way that fishermen suffered when we went into the EU, the farmers will suffer now that we’re going out.

“Once British politicians have control of money coming back from Brussels I doubt they will spend it on agriculture.

“There are a lot more votes in spending it on the NHS or education. Any farmer who thinks otherwise is in for a very rude awakening.”

Moira Henderson, 56, who runs The Rings, a rural holiday cottage business, and a sheep and crop farm with her husband near Cupar, Fife, quit poultry farming because of problems

caused by the EU. She said: “For some businesses in the UK the EU is fantastic, but I feel it has caused a huge amount of burden for farmers.

“The paperwork you now have to complete is unbelievable.

“I had become sick of EU regulations when I was involved with the poultry industry.

“The regulations seemed to be wholly designed to put small producers out of business and I did finish producing eggs.

“We are in a global market now, and I’m happy for there to be free movement of people, but farmers need a better deal.”