RYEDALE farmers are calling for clarity on what would happen to the industry if Britain were to leave the European Union in a so-called "Brexit".

In a meeting with Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton, the farmers voiced their concern that "there appears to be no plan B".

The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been at the heart of the farming industry since the Second World War. As well as a basic payment to all farmers, the policy also offers incentives for environmentally sensitive farming practices, although some have criticised the bureaucracy behind these payments.

Lucinda Douglas, NFU county adviser, said: "Our members were quick to point out that successive British governments have sought to "gold plate" EU legislation, making already complex schemes even more complicated and bureaucratic.

"They sought reassurances that a Brexit would not result in a quagmire of red-tape and regulation for British farmers – as we have seen with the implementation of both the CAP "Basic Payment Scheme" and countryside stewardship agri-environment scheme."

Mr Hollinrake said that he would push for faster progress on Basic Payment Scheme payments.

He said: "Having met with local farmers, I understand that while late BPS payments are an immediate concern, the issue of access to countryside stewardship is very real. There needs to be an investigation into why environmental management has effectively been put beyond the reach of most farmers," he said.

"I have taken up the issues already with the secretary of state, the RPA and other agencies and will continue to work for a better deal on behalf of our farmers."

Ms Douglas added: "Farmers have not walked away from environmental stewardship, in fact the reverse is true - environmental stewardship has turned its back on farming. Up until the introduction of this latest scheme, 70 per cent of land was managed through environmental stewardship, but so far take-up for the new programme has been very low.

"We need a straightforward, accessible alternative that will allow us to get back to that point.

"It is very welcome to hear Mr Hollinrake support our call for a review of environmental stewardship and we look forward to arranging further meetings to take this forward."

Other issues raised at the meeting included flooding, biofuels, rural crime, buildings and infrastructure capital allowances, and Bovine TB.