The EU referendum is the biggest threat facing British farming, Scotlands Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has warned.

Leaving the EU could see British farmers lose Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct support which is worth nearly £20 billion this CAP period (2014-2020).

Speaking at Oxford Farming Conference, Mr Lochhead also called for changes to the farm and funding system but insisted reform should take place from within Europe.

“Westminster’s in-out referendum on the EU is a £20 billion gamble with the future of British and Scottish farming,” explained Mr Lochhead.

“The CAP is a protective shield for UK agriculture. Leaving the EU would mean leaving the CAP. It would be folly to think the UK Government would fund farming at anywhere near existing levels from domestic budgets and so the EU referendum is the biggest threat to agriculture in this country.”

“The stakes are high, especially for Scottish farmers and crofters for whom CAP support is a vital lifeline. It is more difficult to make a living from the land in Scotland – of which 85% is classified as Less Favourable Area – and we have a predominance of livestock sectors which often face the biggest challenges in terms of profitability.”

He also went on to call for simplification of CAP and to focus on sustainable food production, economic growth and ensuring farmers of the future are available to put food on our tables and to capitalise on demand for Scottish produce around the world.

“We must change – but reform must come from within Europe. The CAP must be simpler, fairer and more streamlined with food production at its core,” he said.

The EU referendum is the biggest threat facing British farming, Scotlands Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has warned.

Leaving the EU could see British farmers lose Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct support which is worth nearly £20 billion this CAP period (2014-2020).

Speaking at Oxford Farming Conference, Mr Lochhead also called for changes to the farm and funding system but insisted reform should take place from within Europe.

“Westminster’s in-out referendum on the EU is a £20 billion gamble with the future of British and Scottish farming,” explained Mr Lochhead.

“The CAP is a protective shield for UK agriculture. Leaving the EU would mean leaving the CAP. It would be folly to think the UK Government would fund farming at anywhere near existing levels from domestic budgets and so the EU referendum is the biggest threat to agriculture in this country.”

“The stakes are high, especially for Scottish farmers and crofters for whom CAP support is a vital lifeline. It is more difficult to make a living from the land in Scotland – of which 85% is classified as Less Favourable Area – and we have a predominance of livestock sectors which often face the biggest challenges in terms of profitability.”

He also went on to call for simplification of CAP and to focus on sustainable food production, economic growth and ensuring farmers of the future are available to put food on our tables and to capitalise on demand for Scottish produce around the world.

“We must change – but reform must come from within Europe. The CAP must be simpler, fairer and more streamlined with food production at its core,” he said.