Former leaders in the Scottish agricultural industry have wrote an open letter urging the sector to vote to remain in Europe in next week's referendum.
Five former presidents of Scotland’s farmers’ union, – John Cameron, Jim Walker, Ian Grant, Nigel Miller and George Lyon – stand united in the cause, putting their political differences to one side.
They have penned an open letter to all Scottish farmers in which they say the best way to secure the future prosperity of the industry is to stay in Europe.
They are joined as signatories by prominent tenant farmers champion, Angus McCall and progressive local farmers Andrew Moir and Lochy Porter.
The former leaders concede that many farmers may be tempted to leave the EU because they’re “scunnered” with form filling or the failure of the Scottish Government’s IT system, but call on fellow producers to think hard about the long term damage that would do to Scottish agriculture.
In their letter then men argue that financial support for farm businesses, access to export markets for Scottish lamb beef and cereal exports, and the future competitiveness of our industry are all on the line.
Farming industry is 'on the line'
It states: "For Scottish farmers the stakes could not be higher.
"The financial support for farm businesses, access to export markets for Scottish lamb, beef and cereal exports, and the future competitiveness of our industry are all on the line.
"Whether you love or hate the EU, it delivered 74% of farmers’ income in 2015 and their markets took 40% of our sheep meat and substantial quantities of quality Scotch beef.
"Remaining part of the EU is the only way to guarantee these advantages will continue.
"Owen Paterson MP of Leave promises farmers they will still continue to receive the same financial support
"Yet Boris’s bus has emblazoned on the side of it that all the EU money will go to save the NHS - completely contradicting Paterson.
"Leaving means we lose the unfettered access to our prime export markets.
"Countries such as Norway only secure the same access to EU markets as we do by paying the same EU membership fees, implementing the same EU rules such as sheep tagging but have no say over the rules. The worst of all worlds.
"No doubt many are scunnered with the form-filling, the failure of the Scottish Government’s shambolic IT system and some may be tempted to say ‘to hell with it’ and vote to leave the EU.
"We would urge everyone to think hard about the long-term damage that would do to Scottish agriculture.
"A vote to Remain in the EU is the best way to secure the future prosperity of our industry and we would urge everyone to vote to stay In on Thursday."
