The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has confirmed it supports remaining in the EU, as it believes the UK’s agriculture industry will have a more secure future within the EU. 

A healthy farming industry is tied to a strong relationship with the EU:

• Over 60 per cent of our food and drink exports go to the EU.
• The majority of our farming exports go to the EU: 97 per cent of our lamb and beef exports.
• British farmers will receive €27.7 billion in CAP support between 2014-2020.
• Leaving the EU would mean that farmers are highly likely to be hit with high tariffs on exports sent to the EU: 70 per cent tariffs for beef and 40 per cent for lamb.

Nicholas Soames said; “NFU members have recognised the clear benefits of our EU membership for the food and farming industry, such as the easy access we have to the world’s largest single market of 500 million consumers which accounts for 60 per cent of our food and drink exports worth £11 billion.

“The single market brings significant investment and jobs to the UK and means our businesses have a level playing field with common standards on welfare, safety and labelling. British farming is stronger, safer and better off in a reformed European Union.”

"Support from the NFU shows that agricultural communities cannot ignore the impact of a vote to leave the EU.

"Through exporting the majority of our food and drink products to a market of over 500 million customers as well as funding from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, farmers receive vast economic benefits from being part of the EU.

“Leave campaigners cannot tell us what life outside of the EU will look like, but we can be certain that we will not enjoy as good access to the single market for our agricultural exports as we currently do.   To divorce Europe would be a leap in the dark that puts livelihoods at risk."