60% of British farmers and landowners brand Brexit an ‘annoying aggravation’

The figure comes from Knight Frank’s Rural Sentiment Survey, which also shows landowners looking to improve their businesses are focusing on diversification and the environment, with climate change set to have a longer term influence on the industry than leaving the EU.

26 per cent of those surveyed wanted a no-deal ‘hard’ Brexit, with 25 per cent wanting a second referendum with a vote to remain alongside 2 per cent wanting a second referendum confirming the vote to leave.

Speaking at the launch of Knight Frank’s 2019 Rural Report, Andrew Shirley, head of rural research at the agency, said about half of landowners were planning changes to cope with the challenges and opportunities which may arise over the coming years.

Diversification was the top change people were making, with farmers also looking closely at tree planting and environmental schemes.

Mr Shirley said it was important diversification added value to existing businesses.

“It should take risk out of the supply chain,” he said, suggesting farmers could invest the last few years’ cash from the current subsidy regime into diversification projects.