Leaders within the Northern Ireland (NI) food processing industry came out last week firmly in favour of the UK staying within the EU, but the view of NI farmers is not as clear cut.

That was reflected in a statement from the largest farming organisation in NI, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), which said that while there has been no compelling case made to leave the EU, it will not seek to influence the voting decisions of members.

Policy position

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Its policy position was informed by the latest meeting of the union’s executive, which according to one senior UFU source, was split 50:50 between those in favour and those against British exit (Brexit) from the EU.

Those who want to stay point out that as an export-dependent region, it is vital for NI to have access to an EU market of 500m people. Those who want to leave are fed up with EU bureaucracy.

Despite membership being split, UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson suffered the wrath of some anti-EU campaigners following his comments at a recent conference in Dundalk on Brexit organised by the Centre for Cross Border Studies. While pointing out some imperfections, he said that the EU has generally served NI farmers well, and described leaving as a “step into the unknown”.

He suggested that without the €330m of direct EU subsidies that come to NI each year, the price of food would have to rise by at least 30%. He also quoted agricultural economist Alan Buckle, who has suggested that UK farmers could be hit with levies of 2% to 5% if they want to continue to trade with the EU post Brexit.

Cameron

Last weekend British prime minister David Cameron weighed into the Brexit debate in NI when he visited a dairy farm in Co Antrim owned by Harry Johnston. The visit was hosted by the UFU. Cameron said the UK would be “better off, safer and stronger” in a reformed EU.

He talked about the certainty that comes from having tariff-free access to 500m consumers in the EU.

When asked about future subsidies coming to farmers in a Brexit scenario, he said his government is pro-farming, and would want to put something in place to support farmers.

Listen to David Cameron in our podcast below:

Cameron repeatedly challenged those who support Brexit to clearly articulate what would actually happen to trade, subsidies and border controls if the UK left the EU.

“Are they going to put in place harder border arrangements? What will the queues be like? Will there be individual checks on the Stranraer ferry? They are questions for those who want to leave the EU to answer,” he said.