Last week, I opened my paper to find an article about sheep farming based upon a report complied for the National Farmers Union.

The report talks of the importance of the sector to the south west, the contribution it makes to the economy, nearly £60m in employment alone, and finally the benefits it brings to the environment.

The report warns of the consequences of Brexit, stressing that it could put the sector into “a very vulnerable position”.

The triple whammy of loss of Common Agricultural Policy payments; increased prices to our prime EU markets; and decreased prices as a result of increased domestic supply if less is exported to the EU will put many out of business, destroying concerns which have been in families for generations.

I turned the page, and there was a report saying a new grant scheme is being piloted by Dartmoor National Park and will help save significant farmsteads in South Hams. The funding is only available until we leave the EU.

It all begs the question. Why are we putting ourselves through such grief destroying industries and cutting ourselves off from aid which can help regenerate areas?

Surely, as the effects of Brexit become apparent, we should have the right to have a People’s Vote before we pull the final trigger.

Peter Sturdgess

Ebrington Street, Kingsbridge