2016-03-09 |
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Farming and the EU Referendum
The Crop Protection Association (CPA) has called on both sides of the EU referendum campaign to set out their vision for reform of the regulatory regime governing agriculture following the referendum’s outcome.
Whilst the CPA will not be taking a position on the EU Referendum question, it is essential for UK farming that the issue of EU regulation, and in particular its impact on innovation in agricultural technology, is properly addressed as part of the debate.
CPA CEO Nick
von Westenholz said:
“UK farmers face a significant
regulatory burden as a result of our EU membership, from the environmental
standards they are required to observe to constraints on the availability
of new technologies in seed-breeding and crop protection. The crop
protection industry has long-argued for regulatory reform and the
importance of a risk-based system, founded on science, that ensures
protection for consumers and the environment while incentivising
innovation and providing farmers with new technologies to grow
safe and affordable food.
“Farming, more than any other sector, will be affected enormously by the outcome of June’s referendum. And regulatory reform is a crucial aspect of the debate. Those urging us to remain in the EU must set out a clear path for improving the system in a reformed EU, and not simply argue that the UK outside the EU would nevertheless remain subject to the same burdensome regulations.
Similarly, those campaigning for Brexit need to set out the mechanism for establishing a post-EU regulatory system that will promote the competiveness and productivity of UK farmers. These issues involve important questions that farmers will want to know the answer to.
“Whether in or out, UK farming would benefit from a regulatory environment that fosters innovation, incentivises the development and adoption of new technologies such as GM and advanced crop protection products, and promotes modern, productive farming. It is crucial that all sides of the referendum debate explain their vision for how this is achieved after June’s vote.”
