The voting behaviour of UK farmers in the Brexit referendum mirrored that of the population as a whole, but quite a few are now regretting their choice according to a Farmers' Weekly survey of 950 farmers and those in ancillary industries.
Two-thirds of those surveyed thought that the UK was better off when the EU devised policy, ironically a view strongest among those growing non-supported crops such as potatoes, sugar beet and fruit.
Three-quarters of respondents said that Brexit had been negative for the UK economy and 69 per cent said that it had been very or fairly negative for their own businesses. If the vote could be held again, there would be an eight per cent swing from leave to remain. 65 per cent said that it made it less likely they would vote Conservative.
Both arable and livestock farmers seemed equally disappointed Even more negative were those growing vegetables (81 per cent) or keeping pigs (79 per cent).
A clear majority said that despite pre-Brexit promises of 'a bonfire of red tape' once Britain left the EU, the reverse had been true. My talks to farmers around the north of England convinced me that some had a very surprising view of the regulations that could be discarded.
The phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme in England attracted a lot of criticism, it being claimed that farming could not survive without support. Arguably this shows an industry that had become too reliant on subsidies not tied to outcomes.
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