MANY Herefordshire farmers will be much worse off when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

That is the the belief of Phil Powles, a cattle farmer from Leominster, who said the county’s livestock breeders will face a much more uncertain future on their own.

He pointed to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy as being specifically beneficial to small livestock farmers.

“These farms really are the backbone to Herefordshire and the EU enabled them to survive by ensuring our lamb and beef was sold abroad,” he added.

“Without being in the common market, the French can just develop their own industries further.

“I think it will have a devastating effect here in Herefordshire.”

The 54-year-old is sure that prices will start to drop the next time he visits either Hereford or Ludlow markets.

“We export 50% of the lamb and beef we produce to places like France and Italy but they won’t have to buy our produce now and can instead build up their own livestock.

“It doesn’t take much to change the way farming is going and I just don’t know where we can find new markets.

“Plus we cannot wait two years or more to find out.”

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called an extraordinary meeting for tomorrow to discuss the changes that will come about from leaving the EU.

NFU President Meurig Raymond admitted the vote “will inevitably lead to a period of uncertainty in a number of areas that are of vital importance to Britain’s farmers”.

“The NFU will engage fully and constructively with the British government to construct new arrangements,”

he said.

“Our members will rightly want to know the impact on their businesses as a matter of urgency.

“We understand that the negotiations will take some time to deliver but it is vital that there is early commitment to ensure British farming is not disadvantaged.

“It is vital that British farming is profitable and remains competitive, it is the bedrock of the food industry – Britain’s largest manufacturing sector.”

Mr Powles believes food prices in the UK will go up while the consequences of possible farm closures will lead to diminishing food stocks in Britain and a reliance on imports.

He admits that his views are not shared by all his farming colleagues but claims many Brexit supporters followed their hearts instead of their heads once inside the polling stations.

“I think a lot of people have cut off their noses to spite their face and I just feel that agriculture is not strong enough or supported enough in this country to trade against the world on its own,” he added.

“I do believe the Herefordshire countryside we know and love will change as a result of the decision to leave.”