Held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, the annual Three Counties Farming Conference 2015 was a resounding success welcoming 350 delegates from all areas of agriculture and its associated industries and educational establishments.
 
Ken Nottage, CEO of the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said: “The aim of our Farming Conference is to bring the rural and farming communities together to debate the issues that face us today. We feel this year’s topic ‘Do UK farmers need the EU?’ was particularly timely in light of recent debate about the EU referendum and the EU summit that is set to discuss the UK plans that is taking place in Brussels next month. We hope that the afternoon speakers and evening’s debate has served to inform, educate and entertain our delegates.”
 
The afternoon headliners were Nuffield Scholars, Kate Adams and Sophie Edenborough, both of whom have been sponsored by the Three Counties in their studies. Kate addressed the pressing issue of soil preservation and Sophie looked at the need for alternatives to anti-biotics within the poultry industry.
 
The evening conference started with the presentation of the Young Agricultural Entrepreneur of the Year Award, supported by Three Counties, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Bruton Knowles.  The £2,000 prize was awarded to Joe Evans from Green Cow Kitchens by Chairman of the Three Counties Agricultural Society, Michael Blandford and Helen Thomas, Managing Director of Westons Cider.
 
Conference Chair, Paul Westaway then kicked off the debate introducing Graham Redman, an esteemed and highly regarded agricultural economist from The Andersons Centre LLP. His main message urged caution; decisions should not be based on current political policy as that has a finite life.  Consideration should also be given to the current system of free and informal trade, labour costs, land value and finally to effect on non-English parts of the UK.
 
The Minister of State for DEFRA, George Eustice MP followed Graham and stated: “the status quo is not an option…there is no romantic attachment…and the UK government do not rule out leaving without change but there is much to do before any conclusive decision can be made.”
 
Mike Gooding, farmer and agricultural policy expert, stated that the EU opens the door to an expanding market and a UK exit from the EU would hamper that access.
 
UKIP MEP Stuart Agnew was in no way sitting on the fence, he summed up his presentation:  “this thing has run its course, we need to operate and run our own agricultural policy in this country and the sooner the better.”
 
The floor was then opened for questions, most notable of which was posed by Gloucestershire farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson.  Adam echoed panelist Mike Gooding in stating that no farmers want to depend on subsidies for survival but at the moment they were a necessity, his question was put specifically to the politicians asking: “What will happen if we do leave the EU?”
 
George Eustice responded saying that nothing would happen overnight as there is a transition period and stated that now is a time for re-negotiation and reform.  He reminded the audience of the British public’s love and support of farmers.  Stuart Agnew urged that more pressure be put on the government to bring about the reforms and thanked Adam for applying this pressure.
 
On arrival conference delegates were asked whether they would vote for the UK to remain in the EU, leave the union or were undecided at registration and were asked again after the conclusion of the debate.
Ahead of the debate, 22 percent said they would vote to leave the EU, 47% said they would vote to stay, and 31% were undecided. Afterwards, 27 percent would opt to leave, 48% to remain and 25% were undecided.
 
Ken Nottage added: “These results were not unexpected.  There is a lot of uncertainty that surrounds this issue and that is reflected in our findings and the number of undecided voters.  The resounding message was aptly predicted in Mike Gooding’s conclusion “Stay in but sort it out”.  Our eyes are now firmly focused on the discussions in Brussels next month.”