The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Brexit provides an opportunity to reshape farm support, says MSP
Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Peter Chapman will today call on the Scottish Government to use Brexit as an opportunity to reshape the farm subsidy system to better suit producers.
The north-east MSP, who also runs a farm at Strichen, is set to make the plea at today’s parliamentary debate on securing the rural economy following the EU referendum.
Mr Chapman will tell Parliament that although he voted to remain within Europe, he recognises the potential opportunities that now lie ahead.
He intends to say: “I don’t think anyone I have met in farming or fishing would claim the EU was perfect – I certainly have never thought that.
“There has been much talk of uncertainty following Brexit – but there would also have been uncertainty for farmers if we had remained in the EU.
“We didn’t know – and still don’t know – what the next CAP system would have looked like.”
He will claim that the only certainty “year in, year out” is that payments for farmers have been failing.
“Brexit offers an opportunity for the Scottish Government to reshape the way they support rural communities,” Mr Chapman will say.
“Instead of trying to get concessions out of a system designed to cover all of Europe, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, we can focus our efforts on supporting farmers here at home.”
Mr Chapman will support NFU Scotland’s claims that “there is a real prize to be had” from developing a new subsidy system and call on all political parties to work together on the issue.
“It won’t be easy – it will be a tough job to get a support system tailored for Scotland’s needs,” Mr Chapman will say.
“The question is this: will the SNP put in the legwork? Will they sit down with industry? Will they sit down with the UK Government? Will they sit down with farmers across Scotland who can see this opportunity?
“Instead of banging on about the constitution they should get on with the business of governing.”