#NFU Council agrees 'Remain' resolution on EU referendum

The National Farmers Union (NFU) recognizes and respects the diversity of views among its membership. The NFU’s position is based solely on an evaluation of the agricultural merits of the case and the NFU is fully aware there are many wider issues at stake.

The NFU will not be actively campaigning in the referendum; it will not be joining with any campaign groups and it will not, in any circumstances, advise its members how to vote.

It is, however, the case that the Electoral Commission rules governing the referendum in effect mean that the NFU will be required to register to enable it to continue to carry out its essential role of informing members of the issues as they affect farmers.

We spoke to Jane Fay, European Parliament Advisor, to the NFU in Brussels:

The following resolution was agreed on 18 April:

“The NFU Council resolves that on the balance of existing evidence available to us at present, the interests of farmers are best served by our continuing membership of the European Union.”

"Whether the vote is to stay or to leave, the NFU will always lobby to obtain the best possible deal for British farmers."

1. The vote at NFU council looked at key issues including:

• The implications for our agricultural trade with the EU and the rest of the world;
• the balance of risks of a national farm policy versus the CAP;
• the impact of the agricultural uncertainty following a vote to leave;
• the potential impacts for the wider food chain;
• the consequence for farming regulation, in or out;
• the consequences for agricultural labour availability;
• the consequence for agricultural product approvals, and;
• the consequences for science and R&D relating to agriculture.

2. NFU Council comprises of farmer representatives from each county and farming sector.

3. 28 roadshows have been held across the country to enable NFU members to debate and discuss the key issues of the impact of leaving the EU on farming.

4. The NFU has taken two reports to its members. The first looked at the key questions remaining on the impact on farming should the UK leave the EU. The second report commissioned by Dutch University  Wageningen looked at the impact of direct payments and access to markets based on three models where the UK leaves the EU and then faces three different scenarios.

Share this article: