EU referendum: Shropshire farmers quiz both sides of campaign

Visitors to The Arable Event, held near Weston Park in Weston-under-Lizard, sat in on a debate between the former National Farmer's Union chairman Sir Peter Kendall, who founded Farmers for In, and Brexit campaigner and MP for North Shropshire Owen Paterson.

The pair gave their views on the advantages and disadvantages of both options and then took questions from the audience.

Mr Paterson spoke about the problems farmers faced thanks to policies which cover the whole EU, rather than targeting individual countries.

He said: "It's not just about how much money we'd spend, but that we could spend it in a much more targeted and efficient manner. We've fought for policies that work for us, but we've been voted down. If we leave the EU, farmers could have a policy directed and tailored to our own environment."

Mr Kendall said: "Deals with other countries could happen, but every EU fee we have to pay if we leave and every effort farmers have to put in to conform would come out of their bottom line. Even 10 or 15 per cent extra could be crippling."

As well as the debate, there was a question and answer session.

Members of the audience challenged both of sides of the debate on issues mentioned earlier in the day. There were questions concerning the challenges facing younger people hoping to get into the agricultural industry if Britain leaves the EU, subsidies and if they actually help farmers and, among other things, Mr Paterson's seemingly unshakable confidence that the country would be fine if it voted leave.

Mr Paterson said: "There are indisputable facts. Australia and New Zealand have made trade deals with China and other countries and are doing fine.

"We are a bigger, more powerful country than Australia and New Zealand. That's what makes me confident."

Francis Taft, 87, is from the agricultural sales business and said his opinion hadn't been changed by the debate.

He said: "I am voting to stay. That is what Peter Kendall from the National Farmers Union said was for the best, and I agree with him.

"It's the safest option for farmers, especially for younger people who will not be able to afford the start-up costs involved."

William Jones, 82, said: "I will be voting to leave the EU. They take millions every year, and they just use it to move to new offices and the like all the time.

"Subsidies don't go to the farmers, they go to suppliers, landlords and into the increasing value of land.

"I agreed with a lot of what Owen Paterson said - he put it across in a very good way."