Cumbria's Vote Leave leaders explain why they are "disappointed but not surprised" about the National Farmers Union's decision to remain part of the EU.
As the National Farmers Union (NFU) announced an 'overwhelming' vote to back the government and stay in the EU, Cumbria's Vote Leave leaders argued that choice does not fairly reflect the views of many farmers.
At the launch of the Cumbria Vote Leave campaign on Monday evening at Cartmel Racecourse, North West Chairman for UKIP, John Stanyer, spoke passionately about the way he feels Cumbrian farming and industry has suffered under severe EU regulation. He said: "I am disappointed but not surprised with the stance the NFU have taken. They have given the least possible endorsement they could and confirmed they will not be actively involved with the campaign to stay in the EU, but I think that they should have remained neutral and not come down on either side.
"When I attended the Cumbrian farmers meeting on the topic last week we had about 40% of farmers who wanted to remain in the EU, 40% who wanted to leave and about 20% who are still undecided. However, what we have noticed is that as each day goes on more of the farmers who are wavering are siding with the Vote Leave Campaign.
"People seem to think it's the older farmers who want to leave but it's the other way round, it's the younger farmers looking ahead to the future who are worried about remaining in the EU."
Cumbrian Farmer Ed Studholme, 39, who runs Nealhouse Farm supplying beef and sheep in Wigton, North Cumbria said: "I am a member of the NFU and I personally will be voting to leave the EU in June. All of the farmers I have spoken to in my area feel the same way and I believe that the NFU should have remained neutral on the topic and let the individual farmers speak for themselves.
"I am a big supporter of the NFU but I think that the people at the top are trying to cosy up to the government and the decision to back the 'stay' campaign is pandering to them.
"The reason I want to leave is not all down to money, it runs deeper than that. I fundamentally do not believe in the EU's lack of democracy.
"Farms are generally small businesses and the rules for small businesses are being made in Brussels, then copper-bottomed in Westminster and the rules and regulations are crippling us as small businesses."
In contrast, South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the announcement, he said: “This announcement by the NFU confirms what local farmers have long already known – that it is essential to the future of farming in our area that we remain in the EU.
"The EU gives us access to the largest single market in the world, and EU support is critical for many local farmers. Brexit would be devastating for local farmers, and would lead to the end of many local farms as we know them. I will continue to campaign for a remain vote.”
However, after Cumbria's Vote Leave campaign launched on Monday, Cumbrians are being encouraged to look at the referendum from all abgles. The Vote Leave panel, made up of Lord Cavendish, UKIP North West Chairman Mr Stanyer, Conservative MEP David CamMr Stanyer explained that although farming subsidies will dwindle over the next 10-20 years, severe EU regulation will remain. This was the main point outlined by Britain's Framing Minister George Eustice, who backed the Vote Leave campaign from the start, telling farmers that Britain taking back her sovereignty could potentially make things easier for British farming, which is currently under severe pressure.
Mr Eustice hoped to protect and increase farming subsidies, modelling them on the likes of non-EU countries like Switzerland, Noway and Iceland. Mr Eustice was keen for Britain to regain its sovereignty and abolish the 'Cross Compliance Regime' which has contributed to an increasingly tough time for British Farming.
Mr Stanyer has expressed his displeasure at the NFU announcing an 'overwhelming' vote, as he believes a representation of 90 on the council cannot stand for a whole nation or farmers. He said: "Since the decision was announced last night I have had hundreds of farmers contact me today complaining about the result of the vote. At the end of the day the decision to remain in the EU has been made by a small representative panel and doesn't fairly reflect the real feelings of farmers across the county.
"We recently learnt in a poll that Cumbria is one of the most Eurosceptic counties in Britain and I believe that this is because the needs of Cumbria seem to be constantly disregarded. We need more autonomy over our own regulations."
On Monday 18 April the NFU announced it would not be actively campaigning in the referendum and would not, in any circumstances, advise its members how to vote.
The NFU Council explained that the decision had been made after they carefully deliberated and fully weighed up the existing evidence, deciding that the interests of British farmers will be best served by remaining within the EU.
READ MORE:
Cumbria's Vote Leave launch stresses need to leave undemocratic super-state and reclaim sovereignty
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