A HUGE concern for farmers following the Brexit vote is whether the British Government will provide enough support for the industry in the future.

Nick Bent, group secretary of Swindon and North Wiltshire National Farmers Union said: “It is going to take a little while to get out. Then the big question is how is it going to be for British farmers when we are out.

“Obviously we’re not self-sufficient with food in this country, so that may be a good thing. We export a lot of lamb to Europe and some wheat, so we are going to have to trade deals with Europe and other countries and it is how those trade deal negotiations move along.”

He pointed out that leaving the EU would not just affect farmers. Agricultural engineering firms and the food industry as a whole would feel the impact.

There was a big question mark over subsidies that have come from the EU to support farmers and encourage conservation. “It has been one of the questions that everybody has asked the politicians during the Brexit debate.”

Almost every country supported its farmers, those in Europe and elsewhere in the world. “What support is the British Government going to give farmers in return for conservation activities like not cutting field margins and leaving hedgerows.”

The priority for the NFU was to make sure British farmers were not disadvantaged by the decision and that they still had the right level of support.

French and German farmers were good at negotiating deals. “Our fear is that now we have not got our French and German cousins, is the British Government going to take care of us?”

The immediate aftermath of the vote was going to be terrible but the further down the line the turmoil would smooth out.

He added: “It means that Brexit might be a wonderful thing when we look back in 10 years’ time.”