Three years after the UK's historic Brexit vote, a survey of members by National Farmers' Union Scotland (NFUS) shows only one in 10 farmers are positive about a future outside the EU without a deal.
At this week's Royal Highland Show, NFUS representatives point to ongoing uncertainty around the Brexit process, and a lack of clarity and direction on future policy and funding, which is eroding confidence of Scotland’s farmers and crofters.
Out of 689 responses, only 11% thought a “no-deal” Brexit would be a positive result. A strong majority (64%) see it as either negative or very negative.
Meanwhile three quarters of farmers haven’t undertaken any business planning around Brexit. However, 45% have already experienced Brexit-related impacts (direct and indirect) since the referendum. Of that, the main issues have been:
Increased costs of inputs – 54% Putting off new investments – 51% Putting off expansion in the business – 35%Difficulty in recruiting and/or retaining staff – 12%.Looking to life after Brexit, 77% of respondents anticipate increased cost in inputs; 51% expect to experience more difficulty with exports and 38% expect more difficulty with importing inputs.
Three years of frustrating to-ing and fro-ing on Brexit, with no clear political outcome or direction, have deeply eroded confidence at farm and croft level
Speaking at the launch of the survey results, NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “Three years of frustrating to-ing and fro-ing on Brexit, with no clear political outcome or direction, have deeply eroded confidence at farm and croft level and left many of our members in a hole that is not of their making.
“The deep-rooted uncertainty around the whole Brexit process is reflected in the alarming number of Scottish farmers and crofters who have yet to undertake any business planning in connection with Brexit.
“Unsurprisingly, most respondents are negative or very negative about post-Brexit farming or crofting in Scotland, regardless of whether we leave the EU with or without a deal. The negativity jumps significantly in the event of a ‘no deal’.
“Brexit has already had an impact on many businesses through increased costs and the postponement of planned new investments while respondents are budgeting for a significant increase in input costs post-Brexit. Many have had difficulty recruiting staff and a greater percentage expect that to become even more difficult post-Brexit.”
Three years after the UK's historic Brexit vote, a survey of members by National Farmers' Union Scotland (NFUS) shows only one in 10 farmers are positive about a future outside the EU without a deal.
At this week's Royal Highland Show, NFUS representatives point to ongoing uncertainty around the Brexit process, and a lack of clarity and direction on future policy and funding, which is eroding confidence of Scotland’s farmers and crofters.
Out of 689 responses, only 11% thought a “no-deal” Brexit would be a positive result. A strong majority (64%) see it as either negative or very negative.
Meanwhile three quarters of farmers haven’t undertaken any business planning around Brexit. However, 45% have already experienced Brexit-related impacts (direct and indirect) since the referendum. Of that, the main issues have been:
Increased costs of inputs – 54% Putting off new investments – 51% Putting off expansion in the business – 35%Difficulty in recruiting and/or retaining staff – 12%.Looking to life after Brexit, 77% of respondents anticipate increased cost in inputs; 51% expect to experience more difficulty with exports and 38% expect more difficulty with importing inputs.
Three years of frustrating to-ing and fro-ing on Brexit, with no clear political outcome or direction, have deeply eroded confidence at farm and croft level
Speaking at the launch of the survey results, NFUS president Andrew McCornick said: “Three years of frustrating to-ing and fro-ing on Brexit, with no clear political outcome or direction, have deeply eroded confidence at farm and croft level and left many of our members in a hole that is not of their making.
“The deep-rooted uncertainty around the whole Brexit process is reflected in the alarming number of Scottish farmers and crofters who have yet to undertake any business planning in connection with Brexit.
“Unsurprisingly, most respondents are negative or very negative about post-Brexit farming or crofting in Scotland, regardless of whether we leave the EU with or without a deal. The negativity jumps significantly in the event of a ‘no deal’.
“Brexit has already had an impact on many businesses through increased costs and the postponement of planned new investments while respondents are budgeting for a significant increase in input costs post-Brexit. Many have had difficulty recruiting staff and a greater percentage expect that to become even more difficult post-Brexit.”
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