The highest authority in European agriculture is coming to Edinburgh later this month to spell out to Scottish farmers why they should vote to stay in the EU.
European agriculture and rural development Commissioner, Phil Hogan will headline a major in-out debate at the Royal Highland Centre on May 19, ahead of the referendum on EU membership on June 23. A high profile speaker from the Vote Leave campaign is expected to be confirmed in due course.
The debate on the implications for Scottish food and farming of staying or leaving the EU is being hosted by NFU Scotland (NFUS). The union will also take Mr Hogan to an arable and livestock finishing farm near Broxburn the following day.
NFUS has already pledged its support for the Remain campaign, but union president, Allan Bowie said that to ensure Scotland’s farmers and crofters knew where to put their cross, they needed an informed discussion from those at the centre of the debate.
“Given the importance of Europe as a market for our produce, and the Common Agricultural Policy as a major support structure for our iconic food and farming industries, debate on the issue of EU membership is of huge significance to every farmer and crofter in Scotland,” he added.
“We have said before that farmers would prefer to farm without the financial support they receive from the EU but the reality is that most don’t make enough from selling their produce in the marketplace – either at home or in export markets – for this to be possible. This event will provide all those engaged in this fundamental debate on Scotland and the UK’s future with a fantastic opportunity to hear first-hand what ongoing EU membership or Brexit might meant to them.”
The EU membership poll on June 23 will coincide with the opening day of the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s biggest agricultural event, and the union has already encouraged people planning to attend the show to consider organising a postal vote.
The debate at The MacRobert Pavilion, Ingliston will start at 7pm. Registration will open shortly.