The NFU has commissioned a world-leading agricultural research institute at Wageningen University, to consider the impact of a number of possible trade and farm support scenarios that would be open to the UK Government in the event of the country voting to leave the EU. 

NFU Director General, Martin Haworth, says “Feedback from our members has been clear; further information is needed to consider more fully the potential implications for British agriculture if the UK votes to leave the EU”

“We have presented the findings of the Wageningen study in a summary brochure which I hope provides an indication of what may come to pass based on a number of scenarios. Ultimately, economic models make predictions based on what may happen under a range of assumptions.

“Some of the scenarios appear to suggest that there could be serious risks to farm income from leaving the EU, while the results of others suggest there could be a more favourable outcome. It comes down to a matter of judgement as to which of the scenarios appears the most likely. This in turn will depend on the policy position adopted by the UK Government

 “In the run up to the referendum, the NFU will continue to highlight the facts about our current relationship with the EU. The NFU Council will meet in mid-April to discuss whether the NFU takes a position ahead of the referendum on behalf of the industry”.

The AEA has decided not to take a stance on the referendum, but has recently conducted a survey of its memberships to canvas individual opinions.