AS we enter what looks like a frenzied few months before the EU referendum in June, it’s important to consider facts of particular importance to Ryedale.

The recent report “The implications of Brexit for UK agriculture”, commissioned by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, concludes that “it is difficult to see exit as beneficial to the UK farming sector” and identifies two main dangers.

The first would be loss of EU agricultural subsidies through the “very considerable dependence on the Single Farm Payment Scheme”.

The second danger would be loss of the “high levels of domestic support, export subsidies and import tariffs that insulate agricultural production from changes in world prices”. In other words, we would see the dumping of cheap food from abroad that would drive our farmers into bankruptcy.

A common grumble is the level of red tape surrounding EU benefits, but the report predicts “the regulatory burden might not be reduced as much as farmers might hope”. In view of the key importance of farming and the many agriculture-related jobs in our area, a vote for Brexit would be like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Peter Williams, Malton

 

Membership costs

A TOPIC not addressed much is that of the cost of our membership of the European Union.

It can be difficult to discover any coherent, and, perhaps, truthful information. I did read, from the House of Commons Library, a briefing paper no 06091 dated January 16, 2016.

Here are some snippets for the year 2015 from there: gross contribution £17.8 billion (est); rebate £4.3 billion; grants from EU £5.0 billion; net contribution £8.5 billion.

This is a lot of cash from anyone’s pocket. We have no idea where the £8.5 billion goes. The EU accounts cannot reveal that either. I think we get to keep the £4.5 billion unconditionally and the £5.0 billion we have to spend according to regulations, rules and protocols dictated by the EU. The smallest default here and we are “fined”. (a lot).

If we were not a contributing member, we would have been, as a country, financially richer by £17.8 billion in 2015. This will rise to £20.3 billion (forecast) by 2020. Just remember where this comes from – our taxation – income tax, excise duty, VAT and council tax. On top of this, the cost of implementing the 100 most oppressive EU regulations adds £33.3 billion to our “hidden” expense. To the “average income” household this amounts to about £1,700 per year.

With a sensible and intelligent government, they are our brightest and best, our farming community could be even better supported, more for the NHS. Education Emergency Services. We would still have to comply with EU regulations to trade with their countries and with the USA under the Transatlantic Trading and Investment Partnership. But these would be on our decision and not dictated from Bruxelles or wherever.

Like the man says, it is your decision.

D M Loxley, Hartoft

 

Agendas aside

NOW that the battle lines have been drawn by the chief protagonists for the forthcoming European referendum, I hope the politicians act in a responsible manner and stop this scaremongering which only insults the public’s intelligence.

No doubt the outcome will be depend on the undecided voters and it is these voters who need to hear honest debates and facts.

I implore politicians, from whichever party, to put their personal agendas aside and try to give the public factual information. After all it will be the people’s decision.

David Cameron returned from Brussels with his watered down reforms. He then tells us it would be a leap in the dark to vote to leave.

Surely it would also be a leap in the dark to remain, when these “reforms”, and I use the word guardedly, are not set in stone and can easily be overruled by the European Court of Justice after the referendum has taken place.

Please be more open and give us the facts.

Clive Milson, Huttons Ambo

 

The stuff of legends

FOR his article Rural View, Peter Walker mentions areas rich in folklore particularly Lake Semerwater.

As youngsters in the 1930s we often visited the lake with its legend and mystery.

The one we were brought up with was of the beggar appearing on the scene desperate for food and drink. He was turned away by every house but the last one who took him in and gave him a feed. As he walked away after being replenished he turned and cursed the lake.

Semerwater rise, Semerwater sink, save none but the little man who gave me meat and drink.

The waters of the lake rose and destroyed every house but the last one of the little man who gave him meat and drink.

Douglas Punchard, Pottergate, Helmsley, York