No laughing matter!

SIR, – Much as I agree with the comments regarding ‘EU empty threats’, the situation the UK finds itself in is no laughing matter. 
During the second world war, President Franklin Roosevelt said it is better we die on our feet than we live on our knees. Juncker and his politbureau will do their damndest to put the UK on its knees. 
All the nations in the UK must have representatives in the negotiating team and present a united front. The thin gruel that Juncker gave Cameron prior to the referendum was a slap in the face to the UK. 
Europe needs our business more than we need theirs; Mercal and Hollande understand that, Juncker doesn’t. All he wants is to keep the failing EU afloat a bit longer. 
That a man like Juncker has become so powerful says it all about the way the EU has gone. Although set up by decent people for all the right reasons, the EU has become like the old Soviet Union. 
Does expansionism, undemocratic, bureaucratic, spendthrift ring any bells. Our fishermen have had to live in the real world. I am afraid we farmers are going to have to do the same. The government has given us four years to put our house in order. The next four years will make or break the UK and its farming industry. 
Re: the beef debate: We have two large American air bases next door, and good neighbours they are. For security reasons, Uncle Sam flies everything in for their brave men and women, including their beef. 
We know people who work there; as a family we occasionally venture through security to have a night out on base and a meal. 
Uncle Sam’s beef is really very good, in fact it’s so good, it’s nearly as good as the beef the Taylor boys used to sell in their wee shop in Lockerbie.