PM: No Guarantee Of Support For British Farmers

The Prime Minister has refused Tim Farron's demand to guarantee British farmers that support payments will continue after Brexit.

In the House of Commons today, Tim called on the PM to reassure British farmers. Many farmers rely on direct support payments, and Tim asked for a guarantee that these will continue even after Brexit.

David Cameron replied that "it will be for a future government to determine at the point of departure [from the EU] what payments we should continue to make to our farmers." He added that "we'll have to go through those options and a future Prime Minister will have to decide."

Commenting on this, Tim said: "Unless the government supports our farmers, our area will change forever. Farming is a key part of our communities and our heritage, but it is now in danger. The livelihoods of local farmers are on the line. Without EU support many farms in South Lakeland would not be viable.

"Local farmers cannot plan ahead or invest without reassurance that the support they rely on will continue. They cannot afford to wait for the Westminster soap-opera about who will be the next leader to end before knowing their future."