Newsbeat listeners help explain why Europe matters

23 January 2013

By Dave Howard

Newsbeat politics reporter in Falmouth

Every adult in the UK will get a vote on whether to stay in the European Union.

That's what the Prime Minister's promising if his Conservative party wins the next election outright.

The referendum would be the first of its kind for more than 40 years.

Newsbeat listeners in the Cornish town of Falmouth have helped to explain some ways the EU affects people.

Farming and fishing

Newsbeat met 19-year-old Ben Cavill a few miles out of town in a farm shed packed full of machinery.

Across the European Union, more than £40 billion a year goes to farmers like Ben, as part of the Common Agricultural Policy.

It's by far the biggest area of EU spending, much of it is in return for helping wildlife.

"The money's very appreciated," says Ben. "It's a lifesaver."

Farm welfare standards are also dictated by Europe with things like minimum sizes for chicken cages.

Ethan Pattison, 22, used to work on fishing boats.

Under EU rules, he explains: "You bring a catch on board, you're only allowed to keep a certain amount."

EU fishing "quotas" dictate what they can land of each species. Any excess gets thrown back into the sea.

Ethan also points out that people across Europe now get the same rights as British people to UK jobs.

It's led to many more foreign workers in parts of the UK and some claim it puts extra pressure on British-born workers.

"Some companies take the micky," says Ethan. "They'll train up these Polish guys to replace the Cornish and make more money."

"At the same time though, it's easy for us to go and work abroad too," says 20-year-old Laura.

Falmouth students Laura, Laura and Ben have differing views on Europe

"I think being in Europe is a good thing. It's beneficial.

"Especially for trade, open borders mean businesses can trade backwards and forwards really easily."

Laura's friend Ben describes the EU as "overbearing" though.

Like a lot of critics, he says too many rules get handed down to the UK from Brussels.

He adds: " I think it's too imposing on our country.

"It's really overbearing as far as the law's concerned, and the loss of sovereignty and things."

Finally, like many poorer areas around Europe, Cornwall gets European money to help its economy.

For 24-year-old Abi Rule, it's made the difference between getting a job in the area she loves, or moving elsewhere to look for work.

It boosts Abi's pay and helps her boss Will Vicary with expenses like his business rent.

24-year-old Abi Rule's wages are topped up by the European Union

It also brought the super-fast internet their growing internet marketing company relies on.

"It's allowed us to be a technology company that can be based in Cornwall," says Will.