THE National Sheep Association has called on the Government to give firm indications of how farming and food production will be treated if Britain leaves the European Union.

Phil Stocker, chief executive, says it is currently impossible for farmers to make an objective decision on how to vote in the June referendum due to a major lack of detail.

He said: "Many people directly involved in agriculture are supportive of remaining in the EU but, increasingly, I am talking to sheep farmers who are somewhat attracted to leaving, remembering that the UK joined a common market and not a 'super state'.

"However, the politicians running the out campaign can only give a personal opinion of what they might like to see in terms of investment and support for farming and food, not solid commitments."

Mr Stocker said farmers need firm assurances to base their decision on, not just opinion and ideas.

Defra is currently working on its 25 Year Food and Farming Plan, and the NSA believes it should include a commitment to support and nurture agriculture, with reference to a future in and out of the EU.

"We would like to see clear and committed plans and intentions for both options," he said. "Evidence over the last decade or more suggests the Treasury would reduce funding for agriculture, even if there was an overall saving made by exiting the EU. Therefore the absence of any guarantee to maintain support, in particular to upland farms in marginal situations, means Brexit is of real concern to many NSA members.

"While the farming vote overall will be small, and outweighed by people more generally making decisions based on the economy and immigration, farmers are faced with making an uninformed vote. This is incredibly disappointing given the significance of the vote on the sheep sector and agriculture in general."