Industry across the sectors has been reflecting on the decision to exit the EU following last week’s referendum.

AEA: "It will take some time for this dust to settle especially as it will be prolonged by a change of political leadership and quite possibly a further General Election. Uncertainty is unsettling because it discourages decisions especially those related to investment, the sooner the issue is progressed the better. Most surveys of farmers leading up to the referendum suggested strong support for leaving the EU; it can only be assumed that the result will satisfy them and hopefully provide the advantages they perceive to exist for them.

Farmers have been promised by political leaders that they will continue to be supported with national funds after CAP payments are terminated. There are unlikely to be any significant barriers raised toward trade in agricultural engineering products as these have for many years enjoyed zero tariffs. A consideration will be the sterling to euro exchange rate but whilst a weak pound may discomfort importers of agricultural machinery, the farming community largely benefits from a low currency".

BAGMA (through bira): CEO of bira Alan Hawkins says “Consumers, and the retailers that serve them, need to be given as much confidence as possible from now until the agreement for the UK to leave the EU is signed, sealed and delivered. That means laying out predictable timetables and sticking to them. I’m watchful of the likelihood of interest rate changes. A further fall could be possible if the Bank of England becomes concerned about a developing recession, but increases could follow if inflation grows too quickly. That could dampen the national housing market, which might be relatively welcome in the overheating London market, but could also weaken prospects for retail sectors ranging from carpets and furniture to hardware and housewares.

Whatever we thought about the EU Referendum and Brexit; and bira members were evenly split on the issue, we are where we are today. We call on the government to do everything it can to make sure that calm and stability reign in the difficult period of exit negotiations.”

NFU:  President Meurig Raymond says “Food and farming is of strategic importance to the country. I have stressed to the Secretary of State that the NFU is ready and willing to work with Government to ensure we have a profitable, productive and competitive farming industry. That work must start now.

We must take this opportunity to build a new domestic agricultural policy that is shaped to meet our needs - a policy that allows farmers and growers to prosper while delivering the nation’s home-grown food. Getting the right results will take time but we need early answers to questions such as the future of support payments. We will be seeking guarantees that the support given to our farmers remains equal to that given to farmers in the EU. It will be essential that we are not disadvantaged during the future trade negotiations and government must not allow an open door policy to imports produced to lower standards”

The NFU Council meets today (1 July) in London to draft and agree the core principles needed for farming in England and Wales.

DEFRA: Defra secretary Liz Truss says existing policies for food and farming will remain in place until the UK leaves the EU. “On Friday we heard a clear message from the British people,” she said. “We must now put our shoulder to the wheel so we leave the European Union in the best way for Britain. There will be no immediate changes – until we leave the EU current arrangements for farming and our environment remain in place.”

“Defra officials will be working with a dedicated unit in government to look at a future package for farmers and the environment. There clearly needs to be a system of agricultural support and British farming must remain profitable and competitive. Equally, Defra will continue to ensure the right policies are in place for a cleaner, healthier environment.”

BIGGA:  Chief Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “The UK golf industry is still in a delicate position on the back of the last economic downturn. Following the result of the referendum, we are set to enter another uncertain period for the economy. The decision to leave the EU will have an impact on people’s pockets and within the golf industry this can manifest itself in a reduction in greenkeeping budgets. We will redouble our efforts to ensure we support our members throughout this period and work closely with the rest of the golf industry to keep the sport as buoyant as possible.”

IOG: The people have voted and we now have to deal with the outcome of the majority decision to leave the European Union. Of course, there will be change ahead - and there will be reviews of various kinds.  We can expect to be affected by financial decisions, by Government, its agencies and by the Banks.  We will discuss the impact on our sector both within the IOG and with our wide and diverse membership, as well as with other sector bodies and representatives.  The uncertainty that currently pervades this vote is a natural outcome of the Referendum result.  There will be a long list of issues, including employment rights, EU funding in general, representational lobbying and our position and influence to do so. Within the IOG, in the days and weeks ahead though, we will remain ‘open for business’.