“We’ll die if we do any more farming,” came the impassioned plea from Lanarkshire farmer Hilary Coombs at the NFUS SNP conference fringe event, remarking that NFUS is caught in a “cleft stick” when it comes to creating schemes to replace the CAP when the UK leaves the EU.

Jonnie Hall of NFUS was upfront about the difficulties the union faces: “We’ve got to make this work for our members, the industry and Scotland. It’s not easy. Progress has been slow and difficult.”

“Lots of our farmers, particularly LFA, are scared of what the future holds. As many of us curse the CAP, right now, I’d probably take it, but the reality is that is unlikely to happen.”

Even if the UK had voted to remain part of the EU, the CAP would continue to change, however, Hall said, the future CAP budget is likely to shrink. “What we are calling for from the UK Government is to continue to provide some funding for Scottish agriculture, for it to be ring-fenced, but not to spend it in the same way. Area-based payments should be replaced by action-based payments.”

But this did not satisfy Coombs, “We’re part of agri-environment schemes; we’re organic, we run a bed and breakfast. What else can we do? All we do is action-based. Michael Gove says farmers will have to earn support, but we couldn’t be greener,” she said.

Hall responded that there is “still a requirement for elements of coupled support”.

Rural economy Minister Fergus Ewing said that it was time to “dispel the anti-environmental myth” around farming.

“Farming is under threat now more than at any other time. Hill farmers are scared about the loss of money from the EU, which could lead to the cessation of hill farming.

“We shouldn’t take it for granted. The landscape is created by farmers and crofters who produce good food and drink. We need to grow the market and help farmers become more profitable.”