Farmers have backed staying in the UK and voiced concerns about the impact independence could have on their businesses in a survey organised by Liberal Democrat MEP George Lyon.
His questionnaire secured 1,846 responses from the 16,000 Scottish farming businesses in receipt of single farm payment subsidies that it was sent to.
Of those responding, 72% said they strongly felt Scotland should remain a part of the UK, with just 11% backing independence. There were 17% undecided.
On the potential impact of independence on rural Scotland, 75% said they were worried. A quarter had no concerns.
On currency issues, 79% said the uncertainty about the currency an independent Scotland would use could harm Scottish businesses. Some 19% said it would have no impact and there was no answer from 19 respondents.
Farmers were also asked if they were concerned that independence could make it more difficult for Scottish business to access the UK market. Some 1,343 respondents, or 72% said yes, with 26% answering no. There was no answer from 25.
Mr Lyon said everyone wanted a thriving Scottish rural economy. “But if you look at the real positives we get from the UK market, from our place in Europe and our trade links overseas, I believe it is clear that our farmers can achieve more as part of the UK family. This survey suggests that a majority of farmers agree with me and are backing the UK,” he added.
Mr Lyon said Scottish farmers at present benefited from free access to the UK market, membership of the EU and an opt-out on using the euro.
He maintained Scotland’s place in the EU was not only vital for farmers, but also for jobs and growth.
He also said that given the doubts being expressed on an independent Scotland’s future EU membership it was only right that it was right the SNP faced questions.
He added: “It is not scaremongering to ask about Plan B for agricultural support if independence were to leave Scotland out in the cold.
“Scottish farmers need to know what any delay in EU membership would mean for their direct support and rural development payments.”
But Eilidh Whiteford, the Banff and Buchan MP and SNP spokesman at Westminster, said the reality was that the UK did not work for Scottish farmers.
She pointed to another poll which showed 74% of respondents said they were more likely to vote for independence after the UK Government’s controversial decision to share out with England, Wales and Northern a £190million subsidy boost from Europe which the UK qualified for because of Scotland’s low payments.
She added: “There is deep concern amongst many farmers as being part of the UK means they are short-changed every year on the Cap convergence uplift money.”