50 farmers have their say as PM triggers Article 50

Theresa May has written to Brussels to formally trigger the two-year countdown to the UK’s exit from the EU.

Nine months after the UK voted Brexit, the Article 50 process is now under way. The prime minister said “there can be no turning back”.

To mark this historic moment, Farmers Weekly has asked 50 farmers to give their reaction in 50 words to Brexit and how they think leaving the EU will change UK agriculture.

See also: Read all the latest Brexit farming news and features

Robert Craig, dairy farmer, Cumbria

“Defra doesn’t seem to have a clue about what’s going on. I feel agriculture will be used as a bargaining chip in any deal.

“Politicians are saying it’s an opportunity to import cheaper food, which is of great concern. I wish Brexit had never happened.”

Charles Sercombe, NFU Livestock Board chairman and sheep farmer, Leicestershire

“Triggering Article 50 has created a great deal of uncertainty. It will provide challenges for the UK agricultural industry.

“There will be opportunities and we must make the most of them to ensure a profitable future for the farming industry.”

Kit Papworth, arable farmer, Norfolk

“I felt we were stronger in the EU and I really wanted us to stay in. It’s disappointing that the NFU’s starting point is around us having less of the £3.1bn of annual subsidy.

“As an active farmer, I must plan around having less subsidy.”

Terry Moore, livestock farmer, Oxfordshire

“My main concern is if subsidies are going to stop. If they do, then the price of food will have to rise for farmers to stay in business.”

John Chinn, UK’s biggest asparagus grower, Herefordshire

“The devaluation of the pound has affected our business financially, but access to labour is our main concern. If we don’t get access to seasonal labour, we will not have a business.”

Jono Dixon, arable farmer and co-founder of #clubhectare, East Yorkshire

“Are other EU countries going to cut us off? I don’t think so. It’s a lot of hype. We have been out of Europe before and without subsidies before.

“Let’s get on with what we do best – producing high-quality cereals and meat. I just think we are coming out of a jail sentence.”

Stuart Roberts, arable farmer, Hertfordshire/Kent

“Ironically we celebrated confirmation of our first export order today. Farming must now focus on the ending of the CAP and what will replace it.

“I hope it’s a new ‘contract’ between farmers and society underpinning competitiveness, delivering trade opportunities and rewarding farmers for intangible outcomes the marketplace won’t pay for.”

Peter Kendall, AHDB chairman and former NFU president, poultry and arable farmer, Bedfordshire

“This is the start of the most enormous piece of work that has ever been undertaken and if we get it wrong it is going to define the future of British agriculture for generations to come.”

Phil Latham, dairy farmer, Cheshire

“As a country and as a national interest, I think this is a big mistake. It is time for those who wanted to play king of the castle to stand up and deliver what they promised for UK agriculture.”

Jilly Greed, co-founder, Ladies in Beef

“We’re planning for a hard Brexit, future-proofing as best we can. 

“There must be ‘sensitive status’ for UK suckler beef and lamb in international trade deals, with zero compromise on Red Tractor standards and environmental protection. 

“Otherwise, we’ll be politically skewered, with no safeguards for livestock farming or our iconic British landscapes.”

Graham Lawman, beef and arable farmer, Cambridgeshire

“I’m very disappointed. I sell a lot of high-end straw to Belgium and the Netherlands.

“Talking to my customers on 24 June, they were stunned. But they said they would have voted the same if they had been given the chance to vote.”

Robert Law, Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year 2006 and arable farmer, Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire/Essex borders 

“I cannot do with doom and gloomers and listening to ‘Bremoaners’ on the radio.

“It has taken nine months to get to where we are. We need to pull together and get the best deal for UK agriculture. I’m excited by the whole thing. There’s going be new opportunities. Let’s just get the hell on with it.”

Colin Rayner, mixed farmer and former mayor of the borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire

“We have waited a long time for this to happen. For years, farmers have moaned about the EU. Now that we are on our way out of it, we can plan our own futures by dealing with politicians that we can elect and dismiss.”

Guy Poskitt, arable and vegetable farmer and 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards Farmer of the Year, East Yorkshire

“I think in two years’ time we could still be negotiating. The government needs to get some clear, decisive policies on the table as soon as possible.”

Jake Freestone, mixed farmer, Gloucestershire

“It’s a step into the unknown. We don’t know its consequences. However, it’s business as usual as far as we are concerned, until we know something and we can start to plan and make decisions accordingly.”

Minette Batters, NFU deputy president and mixed farmer, Wiltshire

“There is now a sense of urgency in making things work. We need to build a solid platform at home and create a good exports market too.

“We are in a really strong position to do so. We have got the Red Tractor and the best traceability in the world.

“However, I believe it is important that we retain access to the EU single market. I would be really worried if we had to revert to World Trade Organization rules.”

Michael Seals, livestock farmer, Derbyshire

“While I am pleased to see Article 50 triggered, I am saddened by both the triumphalist rhetoric of some, and the continued whingeing of those who oppose this move.

“We have in front of us the prospect of forging a new relationship with the EU and the world.

“It’s time to look ahead at how we might do things differently and in a better way.”

Robert Stacey, arable farmer, Essex

“I’m quite happy as I voted out. I think it is better for the country as a whole, though if it is better for agriculture is still questionable, with unanswered issues around trade and labour.

“I hope agriculture will not be treated as a sacrificial lamb to benefit other industries.” 

Nick Bragg, arable and broiler grower, Somerset

“These are exciting times. There are still a lot of uncertainties, but there are many positives for our great British produce. I look at it with optimism.”

Roger Gent, free-range egg producer, Oxfordshire

“Poultry has always been an independent, unsupported sector, so it does not affect us that much directly.

“I believe other farmers can survive without subsidies, so long as there is a fair return for their products.

“Supermarkets are very good at adjusting prices so that farmers make just enough margin to keep producing.”

Richard Boldan, arable farmer and contractor, East Yorkshire

“My main concern is agriculture will be sold down the river and I am worried farming will be put to the bottom of the pile below other sectors such as the financial services and car industries.

“Agriculture is very complex and because of that it is often the last thing to be sorted out.” 

Richard Barton, organic egg producer, East Sussex

“I didn’t vote for it, but I accept the result. It has been talked about in terms of a divorce after 44 years of marriage, but that marriage has changed hugely, so to some extent it was inevitable.

“The poultry sector will be hugely hit if we can’t keep the workforce, which predominately comes from Europe.”

Rosey Dunn, mixed farmer, North Yorkshire

“It is not good for farming. It is a step into the unknown. None of us really knows what it is really going to mean for agriculture.

“It is all very much out of our hands. The pound has weakened, which is good farming, but we have all been dealing with volatility and anything that causes instability is a worry for us.”

David Handley, dairy farmer and chairman of Farmers For Action, Monmouthshire

“I think Brexit is one of the greatest opportunities we have had in agriculture for a long time. There will be winners and losers, but the winners will outweigh the losers. The next generation has never had an opportunity like this before.”

Guy Smith, NFU vice-president and arable farmer, Essex

“In the next 24 months we are going to see more decisions impacting on agriculture than we have seen in the past 24 years. Despite the enormity of the

Despite the enormity of the challenge we must approach this as an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient industry where farmers get a new deal that’s a fair deal.”

William Emmett, arable farmer, Berkshire

“Defra must change its spots. We need UK government to become the promoter of British agriculture and brand UK and not the policeman. Agriculture must not be sold down the river.”

Paul Temple, mixed beef and arable farmer, Yorkshire

“This is a starting point, put everything behind us. We now have a timeline of two years; think quick. Whether we like it or not we won’t have the same trading terms as we did in the EU.

“The downside is we don’t have that freedom but the positive is we are not dragged by the CAP which tends to move as fast as the slowest and now we have to have a sense of imagination on where we see the industry in two years.”

Richard Smith, senior farms manager, Dalesford organic farm, Gloucestershire

“There’s so much talk of what might not happen and uncertainty, and I think we should be upbeat and talk about the positive side, I was listening to a piece on TV this morning on how Europe produces something like 30% of the food we eat, which makes us a very good customer of Europe.

“So I think there is going to be some fantastic opportunities for farmers to sell our wares wherever we want to and buy them from wherever we want.”

Stephen Watkins, horticulture and arable, Worcester

“Bring it on. When they say that it’s going to take so long to negotiate if they were running a business like the rest of us are, you make a decision and get on with it, it doesn’t take weeks and weeks.

Just make a decision and get on with it. I just find it so frustrating that they say it’s going to take so long to negotiate.”

Gordon Wyeth, 2016 Farmers Weekly Awards Sheep Farmer of the Year, Hampshire

“It’s about time really, it’s been dragging on and we need some clarity on what’s going on.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our government to look to the positives and do something to help farmers. It’s going to be a rocky ride, but potentially it could have benefits for all of us.”

Di Wastenage, dairy farmer and 2015 Farmers Weekly Awards Farmer of the Year, Devon

“The triggering of Article 50 really is the start of a whole new journey for UK agriculture and irrespective of the way we voted, I think it is important the farming industry unites into one strong voice to secure the best platform for farming going forward.

“So the clock is now ticking but here on our farms it is business as usual, building on all the elements we have influence over to develop a long-term resilient and sustainable farming business.”

James Winslade, livestock farmer, Somerset levels

“It was going to happen, we have got to make the best of it now. The government have got to be strong and not bend over basically, and remember who feeds us.”

Ben Williams, mixed farmer, Powys, Wales

“I’m very concerned. We are sheep farmers and we are very worried that our lamb exports will come to a grinding halt and the price of lamb will collapse, that’s our big worry. 

“We are very worried that the politicians will be more concerned in trade in other industries and the farming industry being a bit small, I worry we will get forgotten about and no provision will be made to keep that trade going.

“They might look after us, they might make us a priority, we just don’t know.”

Stuart Davidson, arable farmer, Aberdeenshire

“I’m all for Brexit. However, it’s not without its concerns as there are lots of unknowns.

“Bureaucracy in farming has gone mad. If the UK as a standalone country can adopt a sensible approach over environmental legislation and subsidies/support it’s a great opportunity for the long term.

“Our industry needs to become more efficient and less reliant on direct subsidy.”

Bryce Cunningham, dairy farmer, Ayrshire

“I was very much in favour of Brexit. I think it’s a unique opportunity to market ourselves as a net exporter of dairy produce.

“We have got a similar opportunity to what New Zealand had 20 to 30 years ago. It also takes us away from the bureaucracy of the EU.”

Richard Haddock, Devon farmer

“The government and the farming organisations must make sure that the rules are equal. Whatever comes into this country must be the same standards as what goes out.

“I’m happy to take on the world if the playing field is level. Andrea Leadsom needs to fess up and tells us her plans.

“If it means no subsidies or more environmental measures, be honest and tell us. I need this government to throw all the bureaucracy and rubbish out of the window and let me loose.”

Tim Hook, Oxfordshire farmer

“Hopefully, the UK government can get a good trade deal and British agriculture will be great again.

“We also need some sensible discussions about pesticides. Ministers must stop listening to the scaremongering on this subject.”

Gareth Wyn Jones, hill farmer, North Wales

“I voted to remain, 60% of my income comes from Europe.

“We have got big bridges to cross, but I really believe in this. The government needs to look at all sectors – the prisons, the schools and councils.

“They cannot point the finger of blame at Europe anymore. If we can get the public to buy local and seasonal British produce, we can build a better Britain from our bellies.”

Fraser Jones, dairy farmer, Powys, Wales

“I try to remain positive about it. I think that leaving the EU could be positive for farming provided that our governments back British farmers.

“We are in a global market and we have to compete against EU farmers.

“We need to be on a level playing field. If the tariffs are right so that cheap produce does not flood the market, we will be in decent shape.”

Rob Gardner, arable farmer, Hampshire

“Nobody knows what will happen. It’s a leap into the unknown. No doubt there will be a change in subsidies.

“You have to be scared for smaller farmers, the hill farmers for whom a massive part of their income is subsidies.”

David Taylor, beef and arable farmer, Lewes, East Sussex

“I’m very concerned about the future of farming and the likely reduction in subsidies for farmers.”

Harry Cotterell, cider fruit and cereals farmer and former Country Land and Business president, Herefordshire

“I was strongly in favour of remaining, but now the deed is done we must all unite and try and get a positive deal for farming, which is in danger of being overlooked.”

Edward Chapman, beef and sheep farmer, Montgomeryshire, Wales

“I hope agriculture is not traded away on the cheap. If we have poor trade deals, British agriculture will suffer. If we get a poor trade deal with the EU, it will make Irish imports foreign.”

James Hole, dairy farmer, Somerset

“I don’t think the current system is working. It’s not going to work unless change comes. The impact of Brexit won’t be immediate, but we will have opportunities in the long term.

“Just look at the Americans and Kiwis, they are able to create their own opportunities and benefit from it.” 

David Barton, livestock farmer, Gloucestershire

“I’m full of optimism and slightly nervous as well because who knows what’s going to happen?” 

Paul Barnes, arable and vegetable farmer, Nottinghamshire

“Brexit is going to open up new horizons for the industry. We have got to be more focused on how we move forward without reduced direct subsidies, be open-minded and look at the alternatives.”

Peter Lundgren, arable farmer, Lincolnshire

“The future is going to be very different. It will be driven by what people want from farming and production may play no part in that.

“This idea we have got to feed the world will become a complete nonsense and irrelevant.”

Andrew Blenkiron, mixed farmer, Norfolk/Suffolk border

“Brexit has been a factor in my thinking since the result last June.

“This is the opportunity that everybody has asked for so I hope we are all ready to seize it and make the most of it, but I am worried about government support for farming going forward.”

Ed Ford, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs chairman and arable farmer, Essex

“Agriculture is bigger than the aerospace and car industries combined in the UK. My biggest concern is our industry gets put out to grass and forgotten about as we are only farmers.

“Ministers have had nine months now and they still haven’t told us their plans. The excuses are running out.” 

Will Dickinson, arable farmer, Hertfordshire 

“I am fearful that our industry will be sacrificed at the alter of financial services. I have little faith that (Defra secretary) Andrea Leadsom will do anything else – she is avowed to the financial sector.

“We may be freed of some of the daft regulation that emanates from Brussels, but I understand that all the EU rules on agriculture will be transferred to the UK statute book and the tweaking will only come later.”